Is extortion widespread at Indonesia’s entry points? Officer’s firing sparks concern

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.

Extortion during immigration checks is reportedly a notorious trend in Indonesia. Last year, the immigration office fired dozens of officers after the Chinese embassy sent a letter exposing systemic extortion at Jakarta’s main Soekarno-Hatta airport between February 2024 and January 2025.

A Singaporean tourist, identified as AC, told media from the city state on March 25 that he and his partner were brought to a “hidden interrogation room” at the Batam terminal by an immigration officer after moving to a shorter auto-gate line. AC claimed that other foreigners from Malaysia, China, the Philippines and Bangladesh were also in the room.

AC said there was nobody behind them in the line, but the officer told him that “he acted disrespectfully by crossing the railing”.