Batam extortion case: 5 Batam immigration officials reassigned, 1 sent to prison island for special training

Five Batam immigration officials have been reassigned amidst investigations into the alleged extortion cases at Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal.

They include Batam Immigration Office head, Hajar Aswad, whose suspension was announced on Apr. 2.

He'd previously been the immigration office's spokesperson for the case.

The other withdrawn officials are the immigration checkpoint department head, the inspection section head, the immigration data manager, and an immigration analyst, The Jakarta Post reported.

The five officials will be under investigation for three months at the Internal Compliance Directorate.

A new immigration director-general was also appointed on Apr. 1.

A seasoned lawyer, he will focus on increasing public service and immigration law enforcement.

About the cases

Last month, tourists from Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, the Philippines, and Bangladesh reported having been extorted up to S$300 each at the ferry terminal.

On Mar. 14, an immigration officer, identified by his initials JS, allegedly requested a payment of S$300 from a traveller from Singapore.

The sum was ultimately negotiated down to S$250, of which the broker received S$100, while JS took the rest.

JS is understood to be the withdrawn immigration analyst, Javier Saviola, The Star reported.

He will be sent to Nusakambangan Island, known as "Execution Island" for its maximum-security prisons, for a special development programme.

Officer fired, more officers questioned

Batam authorities previously confirmed the instances of illegal levy practices, and promised to investigate the cases.

"Batam Immigration Office is committed to zero tolerance of any form of illegal levies and will follow up all suspected violations in an objective and professional way," said Aswad at the time.

As of Apr. 2, eight immigration officers have been questioned, according to the Batam Internal Compliance Directorate.

Agents or brokers suspected of being involved in the extortion case have been blacklisted by immigration authorities.

A spokesperson for the Directorate said that the Immigration and Corrections Minister, and the Immigration Director-General, have taken a special interest in the case.

"Severe disciplinary punishment can involve dismissal. If there is enough evidence and witnesses, we can refer the case to the police for alleged extortion and gratification," he said.

Previously, a Batam immigration officer was fired, and a third-party broker was arrested, both due to suspected involvement in the alleged extortion cases.

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