The firing of an Indonesian immigration officer at a Batam seaport, following reports of extortion of foreign tourists, has raised questions about the prevalence of such practices across the country’s entry points.
Batam, in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province, is a popular destination for visitors from nearby Singapore as it boasts scenic beaches an hour’s ferry ride from the city state.
The island’s appeal has recently been marred by allegations of extortion by immigration officers at Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal, with several Singapore tourists saying they had to cough up as much as S$250 (US$194) to pass entry checks, which should have been free for all Southeast Asian visitors.
