Bali Immigration has just launched a new cybercrime unit that will be tasked with monitoring the online and digital behavior of tourists in Bali in a bid to crack down on crime and violations of public order.
The new Bali Immigration Cyber Unit was formally launched on November 4th, and the Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Suhendra, spoke with reporters this week to discuss the progress the new team has made in just a few short weeks.
So far, the unit has uncovered four cases of foreigners misusing immigration residence permits.
Ten foreigners have been deported due to violations uncovered by the Bali Immigration Cyber Unit.
Suhendra explained, “Supervision of foreigners must be carried out proactively. Immigration officers must be able to detect potential violations early through social media and news.”
He shared that the team has been tasked with searching and analyzing data related to foreigner activities that have the potential to disrupt public security and comfort in Bali and Indonesia.
The team will also compile periodic reports and support effective immigration enforcement through collaboration with other departments.
Suhendra added, “Don’t let immigration violations disrupt Bali’s tourism climate and harm the community. Supervision must be carried out appropriately, measurably, and efficiently so that every foreigner complies with the applicable rules.”
He concluded, “The Cyber Unit will make officers more responsive in taking action against violations so that a safe environment is created to support quality Bali tourism.”
This kind of digital surveillance is focused on reducing crime of all kinds, but especially on preventing misuse of residence permits while supporting Bali’s goal of being a safe and trusted tourist destination.
The misuse of visas in Bali is a widespread issue that has been occurring for years, though the situation appears to have worsened since the pandemic.
Immigration has been cracking down on the misuse of tourism visas on arrivals and the misuse of pre-investment and socio-cultural visas by those who wish to work or operate businesses in Bali.
The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration is conducting an ongoing surveillance operation called Operation Jagratara.
This operation has resulted in the deportation of dozens of foreigners across the country, including in Bali.
The last series of raids connected to Operation Jagratara were conducted on 12th – 15th November 2024, where Indonesian Immigration teams investigated 687 foreigners around the country and arrested 14 individuals in Bali found to be breaking the conditions of their visas.
The Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Pramella Yunidar Pasaribu, has been clear that the province will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to visa violations of any kind.
The implementation of a new Immigration Cyber Unit will surely uncover more foreigners who are breaking the conditions of their visa by working, running businesses, or violating Indonesian law by taking drugs, drunk driving, stealing, engaging in sex work, or gambling, all of which is illegal in Indonesia.
At a press conference held in October 2024, Pasaribu was clear in her tone and commitment to protecting law and order in Bali.
She sai,d “This monitoring is carried out to ensure that all foreigners in Bali comply with immigration regulations. We want to keep Bali safe and conducive for tourists and local residents.”
Pasaribu added “Immigration patrols will continue to be carried out routinely in various other locations in Bali that are tourist centers to ensure that security and order are maintained.”
Tourists traveling to Bali can apply for their eVisa on Arrival prior to touching down in the country. By applying for the visa on Arrival, tourists are eligible to stay for up to 30 days, and this visa is extendable for a further 30 days.
The visa costs IDR 500,000 and can be applied and paid for via the official Indonesian eVisa website. Using the eVisa on Arrival also means tourists can use the autogate scanners at Bali Airport on Arrival and at departure, which reduces immigration check times to just a few seconds.
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Exp
Monday 16th of December 2024
My messaging apps are full of spam from locals marketing their thinly veiled scams. Sometimes I wonder how they get hold of my phone number, then I realize everything is for sale here.
They go after foreign scammers as the locals do not like competition within their scam arena. Same reason as their clamp down on foreign prostitution and drug business not "sharing" profit.
Sven
Sunday 15th of December 2024
Indonesians are the least civilized online users in Asia. Studies and reports show that in the data. And of course anyone sees that when using social media.
But of course the government ignores that and instead targets foreigners.
Another cowardly and racist move by the Balinese who think that they are above everyone else and law only applies to outsiders, not for themselves.
It shows how weak they are internally, as there is huge fear to look at their own misbehaviors.
I suggest for your next step, set up concentrati.. I mean.. re-education camps for the foreign troublemakers. Just to be safe that they wouldn't shine any light of your own mess, because that would be terrifying for you.
WAYAN BO
Sunday 15th of December 2024
CENSORSHIP 🤣
Steve bm
Saturday 14th of December 2024
Good news as long as they don't go after the lokals up to no good online
scottgalloway
Tuesday 17th of December 2024
@Steve bm, Sven is right, its nothing more than a smokescreen for a widespread extortion attempt. They target anyone with money, innocent or not and regardless of visa type. Investors bringing money and talent to employ local citizens, they will take for their corrupt pockets and hold foreign citizens passports hostage for $.
The new golden visa is a sham, any high net worth individual should avoid at any costs, it will put on you a definite list to be extorted.
Sven
Sunday 15th of December 2024
@Steve bm, that's the thing - they don't. They only target foreigners, because of racism, cowardness, hypocrisy and massive corruption.
They will target foreigners who are calling out their corruption and overall sh*t behavior, because they can't handle any criticism and want to be seen as a perfect paradise from outside view, in order to lure in money from unsuspecting victims. Anyone pointing out their huge corruption, pollution, crime, etc. is causing damage to the fake paradise story, which in turn makes some people avoid the place. This makes them lose money. That's what they try to manage with this move, although unsuccessfully, since word spreads anyway. Plenty of people everywhere online saying that Bali is a dirty dump that they would not visit again.