S’porean claims Batam immigration officer extorted S$37 from her, Indonesian authorities cite visa misunderstanding

A Singaporean traveller’s social media post alleging that she was "intimidated" and "extorted" by an immigration officer at Batam’s Sekupang Ferry Terminal has gone viral in Indonesia.

The woman claimed she was shouted at, threatened and asked to pay IDR500,000 (S$37) during the incident.

According to Indonesian media outlets, Batam immigration authorities have since apologised for the incident and launched an internal investigation.

Traveller says she was stopped while using phone

In her post, the Singaporean said she was forcibly stopped by an immigration officer while at Sekupang Ferry Terminal in Batam, Indonesia.

She claimed the officer confronted her for using her phone, even though she said she was trying to access a QR code for her previously completed arrival declaration, according to detikSumut.

The traveller also alleged that she was pressured into paying S$37 and was threatened with having to “sleep on the ferry” or “go to jail.”

Indonesian immigration says payment was for visa

Batam immigration authorities later clarified that the payment was not an illegal fee.

In a statement quoted by KumparanNews, Batam Immigration public relations head Kharisma Rukmana said the payment was for a Visa on Arrival (VoA), which allows foreign visitors to stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days.

“The Rp500,000 was not an illegal levy, but arose from a misunderstanding which resulted in the individual being asked to use a VoA,” he said.

According to the authorities, the money was paid through a BRI Bank counter and transferred to the state treasury as a non-tax state revenue.

Authorities say both parties have apologised

Kharisma said Batam immigration authorities had conducted mediation sessions to obtain a fuller explanation of the incident from both parties.

“Through the process, mutual understanding was reached regarding the incident, and both the officer and the Singaporean citizen have forgiven each other,” he said.

Another immigration official, Guntur Sahat, head of the Riau Islands Immigration Office, also said the matter had been resolved through mediation, according to Kompas.

Officer removed from duties pending investigation

Despite the clarification, Indonesian immigration authorities said the officer involved has been temporarily removed from duty while investigations continue.

“Currently, the officer concerned has been relieved from his position for further internal examination in order to ensure the investigation process remains objective and professional,” Kharisma said.

Batam immigration authorities also apologised for the incident.

“We apologise for the inconvenience that occurred,” Kharisma added.

Authorities also said the officer underwent a urine test as part of internal investigations to ensure there was no involvement of narcotics abuse.