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Both men reportedly extorted up to $300 from foreign nationals entering Batam.
PHOTO: Google Maps
PUBLISHED ON April 01, 2026 6:22 PM BY Koh Xing Ying
An immigration officer in Batam has been dismissed after he was allegedly involved in extorting money from foreign tourists at the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal.
A third-party broker linked to the case has also been arrested, reported Indonesian news outlet CNN Indonesia.
"Two people were identified as being involved, one internal individual and one external party," said Batam immigration chief Hajar Aswad at a press conference on Sunday (March 29).
Both men had reportedly extorted up to $300 from victims from countries including Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, China, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
The money would then be spilt among the officers and brokers, reported CNN Indonesia.
Based on preliminary investigations, the extortion began with a demand for $100 from a foreign tourist, but negotiations between the victim and the broker allegedly escalated to $300.
According to Hajar, immigration authorities and the police are investigating the flow of transactions including securing CCTV footage from the port as evidence.
"The case is still being handled. Immigration and the police are currently investigating the transaction flow," he said, adding that the extorted money will be returned to the victims.
The case follows earlier reports of foreign tourists arriving by ferry from Singapore who were allegedly extorted on Riau Islands on March 13.
On March 29, Riau Islands regional immigration office head Ujo Sutojo said his office has identified an employee with the initials JS, along with a third-party individual, AS, as suspects in the scheme.
"Any officers involved in the case will be penalised according to disciplinary procedures," news agency Antara quoted the immigration chief as saying.
asia
Batam immigration officer sacked after alleged extortion; broker arrested
Both men reportedly extorted up to $300 from foreign nationals entering Batam.
PHOTO: Google Maps
PUBLISHED ON April 01, 2026 6:22 PM BY Koh Xing Ying
An immigration officer in Batam has been dismissed after he was allegedly involved in extorting money from foreign tourists at the Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal.
A third-party broker linked to the case has also been arrested, reported Indonesian news outlet CNN Indonesia.
"Two people were identified as being involved, one internal individual and one external party," said Batam immigration chief Hajar Aswad at a press conference on Sunday (March 29).
Both men had reportedly extorted up to $300 from victims from countries including Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, China, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
The money would then be spilt among the officers and brokers, reported CNN Indonesia.
Based on preliminary investigations, the extortion began with a demand for $100 from a foreign tourist, but negotiations between the victim and the broker allegedly escalated to $300.
According to Hajar, immigration authorities and the police are investigating the flow of transactions including securing CCTV footage from the port as evidence.
"The case is still being handled. Immigration and the police are currently investigating the transaction flow," he said, adding that the extorted money will be returned to the victims.
The case follows earlier reports of foreign tourists arriving by ferry from Singapore who were allegedly extorted on Riau Islands on March 13.
On March 29, Riau Islands regional immigration office head Ujo Sutojo said his office has identified an employee with the initials JS, along with a third-party individual, AS, as suspects in the scheme.
"Any officers involved in the case will be penalised according to disciplinary procedures," news agency Antara quoted the immigration chief as saying.
