NTT Deputy Governor Requests Arrest of Debt Collectors Detaining Timor-Leste-Plated Vehicles

The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) provincial government has requested the NTT Regional Police to arrest rogue debt collectors suspected of detaining vehicles with Timor-Leste number plates upon entering the archipelagic province. NTT Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma in Kupang on Friday stated that his side had received a report from the Timor-Leste delegation regarding the alleged practice, which is deemed to potentially disrupt the good relations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, particularly between NTT and Timor-Leste. “During the meeting with the RDTL delegation regarding NTT-Timor Leste cooperation in the tourism, trade, industry, agriculture, and livestock sectors, I received a report on that matter,” he said. Based on the received report, there are suspicions of rogue debt collectors illegally tailing and detaining Timor-Leste-origin vehicles using that country’s number plates while in NTT territory. According to Johni, the situation is disturbing and potentially disrupts the comfort as well as the good relations between NTT and Timor-Leste communities, which have so far been established through cross-border cooperation and socio-economic ties between the two regions. He emphasised that such actions are unjustifiable as they can impact the region’s image and hinder the strengthening of cooperation between NTT and Timor-Leste, especially in the tourism and trade sectors. “The NTT provincial government is committed to creating a sense of safety and comfort for all guests and investors coming to the region,” he said. As a follow-up, the NTT provincial government will report the issue to the NTT Regional Police for handling and legal enforcement in accordance with applicable provisions. The NTT provincial government also urges all parties to maintain order and support harmonious cooperative relations between NTT and Timor-Leste.