MAINTAINING INTEGRITY: EAST JAKARTA IMMIGRATION APPREHENDS MOROCCAN NATIONAL

Jakarta, KORANTRANSAKSI.com – Strengthening integrity and professionalism in foreign national surveillance represents a firm commitment to law enforcement that is fair, transparent, and accountable, completely free from extortion or illegal gratification. This aligns with the four-point Daily Order delivered by the newly appointed Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, S.H., M.H., to all structural officials within the immigration sector.

The numerous cases of residence permit abuse across several regions of Indonesia in recent weeks have become a primary task for the Director General of Immigration. The objective is to maintain and strengthen the integrity of all personnel across the board, both within the Directorate General of Immigration and throughout all immigration service offices across Indonesia without exception.

The framework for strengthening integrity in the surveillance of foreign nationals within the territory of the Republic of Indonesia comprises several key pillars, namely: Conflict of Interest Prevention, TIMPORA (Immigration Surveillance Team) Synergy, and the Digitalization of Services and Reporting. In line with this, the Class I Immigration Office TPI East Jakarta has uncovered a residence permit violation committed by a Moroccan national who allegedly operated an online prostitution service.

Chronology of the Arrest

The Head of the Class I Immigration Office TPI East Jakarta, Pungki Handoyo, explained, "The disclosure of this case stemmed from information regarding rampant online prostitution practices involving foreign nationals in the East Jakarta area."

"Following up on that information, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at approximately 23:15 WIB, officers conducted immigration surveillance at a lodging facility in East Jakarta. They successfully detained a female foreign national with the initials AE (28), a Moroccan citizen," Pungki explained.

"AE is suspected of abusing her residence permit by running an online prostitution business. In conducting her operations, she reportedly charged a rate of IDR 5,000,000 for a single appointment with a client," he stated.

Legal Violations and Evidence

Pursuant to Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, the foreign national is subject to Immigration Administrative Action in the form of deportation and detainer as regulated under Article 75, paragraph (1). Furthermore, AE is suspected of violating Article 122 letter a regarding the abuse of a residence permit or engaging in activities inconsistent with the intent and purpose for which the permit was granted. This carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum fine of IDR 500,000,000.

"We will continue to increase surveillance over the presence and activities of foreign nationals, particularly within the jurisdiction of the East Jakarta Immigration Office. This surveillance is a form of our commitment to maintaining the integrity, order, security, and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia, as conveyed by the Director General of Immigration," asserted Pungki as the Head of the Class I Immigration Office TPI.

In a separate interview, the Head of the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Section, Ghanda Ade Sestiawan, told reporters from KoranTransaksi.com, "It has been established that AE entered Indonesian territory through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on April 7, 2026, utilizing a Visit Residence Permit."

"Based on further investigation results, the individual currently appears to have operated independently and has not been linked to any organized online prostitution syndicates. The platform used to offer her services was an online website, and based on AE's statement to officers during questioning, she allegedly operated due to financial motives," he added.

"From the operation, our officers secured several pieces of evidence, including:

1. 1 Moroccan national passport,
2. 2 contraceptives,
3. Cash amounting to IDR 5,500,000,
4. And 2 mobile phones containing electronic chat histories detailing online prostitution transactions," Ghanda explained.

Before concluding the interview, the Head of the Class I Immigration Office TPI East Jakarta, Pungki Handoyo, delivered a brief but firm message.

"We also urge the public to play an active role in reporting any suspicious activities involving foreign nationals, particularly within the jurisdiction of the Class I Immigration Office TPI East Jakarta," he concluded. (RN)