Lawmaker urges RI govt to expand patrols to monitor foreigners

 The House of Representatives Commission XIII Chair Willy Aditya urged the Directorate General of Immigration to expand patrols targeting foreigners to areas that attract international visitors.

“What is being done in Bali against foreigners violating immigration rules should be supported. I believe it should be expanded to other regions,” he said in Jakarta 

Patrols targeting foreigners who violate regulations should not be limited to Bali but expanded to other areas that frequently attract foreign visitors, he said.

In this regard, strict enforcement is needed to ensure all foreigners in Indonesia comply with immigration requirements and other applicable regulations, Willy added.

The Directorate General of Immigration previously conducted patrols in Bali through Dharma Dewata Patrols to intensify monitoring of foreigners and detect potential immigration violations across the province.

During the patrols, officers detained five foreigners for violating stay-permit requirements or overstaying their permits. Officers also examined another foreigner over a limited-stay permit.

Willy said the firm yet humane approach used in the Dharma Dewata Patrols should be strengthened as it showed Indonesia remained open to foreigners while emphasizing compliance with its rules.

Each country has its own approach to dealing with foreign visitors who violate regulations. Indonesia’s immigration authorities have adopted a more humane approach in Bali, Willy said.

Bali could serve as a model for addressing issues involving foreigners because of the large number of international visitors and various social problems arising there.

He also highlighted cases involving foreigners accused of discriminatory behavior toward local residents.

“What has happened in Bali recently requires firmness, combined with humane methods, to regulate foreigners,” he added.