Bangladesh Nationals Enter Indonesia via Illegal Routes and Are Held Captive in Bali

Bali, KORANTRANSAKSI.com – Immigration authorities have uncovered five Bangladeshi nationals who were held captive in Buleleng Regency, Bali, after entering Indonesia through illegal routes, also known as "rat trails."

The five Bangladeshis fell victim to a scam disguised as a work placement program to Australia. Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra, Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, stated that ten Bangladeshi nationals were involved in the case, consisting of five victims and five perpetrators.

“They entered without going through immigration checkpoints and, of course, without a residence permit,” Kusuma Putra said.

According to investigations by the Buleleng Police, the foreign nationals are suspected to have entered via illegal ports in Riau Province. After arriving in Riau, they traveled overland to Jakarta, then to Denpasar, and finally to Pemuteran Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency.

At a villa in Pemuteran Village, the five victims, identified by initials AH (24), D (37), AR (29), SM (33), and MSU (41), were held captive and intimidated by the perpetrators. The victims were pressured to provide additional money under the pretext of operational costs for traveling to Australia.

The case was uncovered after one victim managed to escape and report to the police. Authorities subsequently arrested five suspects with initials MN (24), MM (27), EH (37), MR (29), and MR (32). Kusuma Putra added that four of the five victims have now been deported to Bangladesh after completing immigration procedures. “The five perpetrators are being detained to undergo legal proceedings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Felicia Senky Ratna, Head of the Bali Regional Immigration Office, noted that the case highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities for foreign nationals entering through illegal routes in Indonesia’s border areas.

“Indonesia is an archipelagic country. Not all border points have immigration checkpoints. This means that the opportunity for foreigners to enter via unofficial routes remains wide open. We often refer to these as ‘rat trails,’” Felicia said.

She also indicated possible involvement of international syndicates facilitating illegal cross-border travel. “Many of our citizens sell these services. Departures usually occur at night using traditional boats,” she added. Felicia emphasized that monitoring foreign nationals at border areas cannot rely solely on Immigration authorities. (TA/TIM)