Indonesia to review visa waivers after foreign scammers' arrests

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Jakarta: Indonesia has announced a formal review of its visa-free entry policy for Southeast Asian nationals following a series of high-profile arrests involving foreigners linked to illegal gambling and scam operations. 

The decision comes after authorities detained more than 500 individuals last week during major raids targeting criminal syndicates in Jakarta and Batam.

The recent crackdown focused on an online gambling ring in the capital and a scamming syndicate in the eastern Riau Islands province. Those apprehended included nationals from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar all of whom currently benefit from 30-day visa-free stays as well as individuals from China.

Indonesian immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko stated that the involvement of foreign nationals in such illicit activities has become a cause for ‘serious concern’. 

He emphasized that the rising number of cases involving individuals from countries granted visa-free entry necessitates a thorough evaluation of existing immigration policies.

Preliminary investigations revealed that many suspects involved in the Jakarta gambling center exploited visa waivers or applied for arrival permits to enter the country. 

This exploitation of entry facilities has prompted the government to reconsider the security implications of its current open-border arrangements with regional neighbors.

In response to the growing crisis, immigration authorities have significantly ramped up enforcement, carrying out over 6,700 ‘administrative actions’ in recent weeks. 

These measures have already resulted in more than 2,000 deportations and the cancellation of numerous stay permits as the government moves to tighten its borders.