To prevent Illegal Migrant Workers, Batam Immigration Postpones Departure of 6,211 People from January to July 2023

Jul 27, 2023

The Batam Class I Checkpoint Immigration Office has postponed the departure of 6,211 people abroad from January to July 2023. This was informed by the Head of Batam Immigration Office, Subki Miuldi, in a press conference on the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) at the lobby of Riau Islands Police Office on Monday (24/07/2023). "We have postponed the departure of 6,211 people abroad from January to July 2023. In addition, we have also rejected 150 applications for new passports, during the same period," said Subki. Subki said that the reason for the postponement of departures and also the rejection of new passport applications by Batam Immigration officers was a measure to prevent Indonesian migrant workers planning to work abroad illegally or non-procedurally. Furthermore, Subki said that he had instructed the immigration officers to tighten supervision at the Immigration Checkpoints from which Indonesians entry and exit the country. "We’ve firmly stated that only people with our recommendation can pass through the Immigration Checkpoint. Some people tried repeatedly to exit through 4 seaports in Batam, but we always coordinate with the Riau Islands Police and related agencies to tighten supervision," explained Subki. Subki said that most of the prospective passengers postponed departed through Batam Center International Port, Citra Tritunas Port, Sekupang Port and NongsaPura Port. At the press conference, the Riau Islands Police Chief, Inspector General Tabana Bangun, also conveyed the findings and disclosure of 31 cases that saved 130 victims and arrested 52 TIP suspects. The disclosure of these cases is findings from Batam Immigration and the Riau Islands Police during the period from 5 June 5 to 22 July 2023. The press conference was also attended by representatives of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Service Center (BP3MI) of Riau Islands, the Batam Social Service, and the Riau Islands Police. Author: Muhammad Fijar Sulistyo. Editor: Achmad Nur Saleh

Last updated 05 December 2024