The Dumai Class I TPI Immigration Office has arrested 26 foreign nationals (WNA) consisting of 17 from Myanmar and nine from Bangladesh who attempted to cross into Malaysia illegally through back routes.
The arrests began with reports from the public who suspected the illegal activities of the WNA and by involving security forces their actions could be prevented.
“The FIQR Lanal Dumai Team and the Koarmada I Ops Task Force arrested 24 WNA on the Pelintung Coast, Medang Kampai District, while two others were handed over by the Medang Kampai Police,” said Head of the Dumai Class I TPI Immigration Office, Ricky Rachmawan, to reporters in Dumai, Saturday.
Ricky said the nine Bangladeshis entered Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport using a visit visa, but they intended to continue their journey illegally to Malaysia.
Head of the Riau Kemenkumham Regional Office, Budi Argap, appreciated the work of the Dumai Immigration Office and law enforcement officers who thwarted the illegal crossing of the WNA.
“The border areas of Indonesia with Malaysia and Singapore are vulnerable to smuggling practices. I ask the public and fishermen to actively report any suspicious activity, so that we can act quickly,” he said.
Budi said that his party would immediately map the back routes often used by smugglers. “We will coordinate with law enforcement officers to reduce the room for criminals to move and protect the public from the impact of smuggling,” he said.
Budi led a joint immigration surveillance operation in Dumai waters, specifically in the Malacca Strait, involving the Indonesian Navy, Indonesian Army, Polairud and the Quarantine Office, in order to detect early potential immigration violations by foreigners.
In this activity, his party operated the Pura Ksatria Selat Panjang Patrol Ship, while strengthening surveillance in the waters, especially in the Selat Panjang area.
Dumai City has a strategic position because it faces directly onto the Malacca Strait, a very busy sea traffic route, making Dumai a point prone to various violations of the law, including immigration violations.
With the joint operation and support of new patrol vessels, it is hoped that immigration supervision in the Riau region, especially in Dumai waters, can be more effective and able to prevent various forms of legal violations.