Staying Illegal, Indian Foreigner Arrested in Pangandaran

Immigration officers arrested a foreigner from India in West Java for abusing his residence permit in Indonesia for up to 466 days.

KANTOR IMIGRASI TASIKMALAYA

The Tasikmalaya Class I Immigration Office arrested an Indian man with initials MS on Sunday (5/5/2024) in Pangandaran Regency, West Java. MS had violated his residency permit in Indonesia for 466 days.

TASIKMALAYA, KOMPAS — Tasikmalaya Class I Immigration Office officers arrested an Indian citizen with the initials MS, Sunday (5/5/2024), in Pangandaran, West Java. MS was arrested because he was in Indonesia beyond his stay period, up to 466 days.

The Head of the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Section (Inteldakim) at the Tasikmalaya Immigration Office, Iman Muhammad, on Monday (6/5/2024), revealed that MS had been caught in a joint surveillance operation called Jagratara. The operation took place from Saturday (4/5/2024) until last Sunday.

"We received a report from the public about an Indian resident living in Pangandaran. After checking his documents, it turned out that he had been living there for more than 400 days," said Iman.

KANTOR IMIGRASI TASIKMALAYA

Class I Tasikmalaya Immigration Office officers who are members of the Foreigners Supervision Team.

Iman revealed that during his stay in Pangandaran, MS resided in a hamlet named Cireuma, in Kertamukti Village, Cimerak District. MS even married an Indonesian woman with the initials TSE.

The marriage of MS and TSE has also been officially registered since September 22, 2022 by officials of the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) in Cimerak District.

“After getting married, he only extended his visit residence permit once. "MS has never applied for another residence permit," he said.

Also read: Two Indian Citizens Violate Residence Permit for Money

Iman added that currently, MS is being detained in the immigration detention room at the Tasikmalaya Immigration Office. He is waiting for the deportation process in the near future.

"The success of the Inteldakim team at the Tasikmalaya Immigration Office is in support of efforts by the Directorate General of Immigration, which is conducting simultaneous supervision operations on foreigners throughout Indonesia," he added.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Head of the Immigration Division of DKI Jakarta, Sandi Andaryadi (second from the left), provided a statement to the press during the release of alleged cases of abuse of residency permits for foreigners at the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, on Thursday (26/10/2023).

The Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Masjuno, emphasizes that the role of village chiefs is crucial in monitoring foreigners. This is because village officials are the ones who know the comprehensive conditions of residents in residential areas the most.

He also stated that the Tasikmalaya Immigration Office will soon launch the Immigration Fostered Village Program. This program will collaborate with village leaders and all components of the village to monitor foreigners.

"This program will educate people who will work abroad so that they will not be trapped in human trafficking crimes," said Masjuno.

Also read: Immigration Arrests Two Chinese Citizens Fugitive in Murder Case

Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement at the Directorate General of Immigration, Saffar M Godam, revealed that the operation titled Jagratara will impose administrative and criminal sanctions on violators of immigration rules.

"The Inteldakim team also visited several companies in Tasikmalaya and Ciamis Regency that employ foreign workers. This effort is aimed at providing guidance to ensure they comply with applicable immigration regulations," said Saffar.