Batam Immigration investigates alleged extortion of foreign tourists, including Singaporean travellers

Recounting his experience to Mothership, a Singaporean, identified only as AC said he had arrived in Batam with his partner on Mar 13 and entered an autogate lane, which had a shorter queue. 

Although they did not cut the line, they were stopped by a Batam immigration officer and escorted them to an interrogation room and were detained for about two hours.

“The officer yelled, confiscated our phones, intimidated us and demanded a fine of $100 per person,” AC told Mothership.

AC said he eventually paid the cash “fine”, which he claimed the officer placed in a stack under a keyboard and added that he hoped his experience would serve as a warning to other travellers.

Reviews on Google Maps as well as TripAdvisor also detailed accounts from foreign tourists describing unfavourable exchanges with Batam immigration officers. 

Batam officials did not elaborate on how many immigration officers were being questioned by the Internal Compliance Directorate, or whether the extortion reports could be verified by CCTV camera recordings at ferry terminals.

Kharisma Rukmana urged members of the public to report any misconduct through official channels, including email, WhatsApp or via direct message on Instagram.

“We believe that all foreign tourists entering Indonesia are entitled to immigration services that are good, accountable and in accordance with regulations,” Kharisma said, reiterating the office’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal levies.