Committee I DPD RI Visits the Directorate General of Immigration Bali in Supervising the Implementation of the Immigration Law

06 April 2026 oleh admin

Bali, dpd.go.id – The many aspirations received regarding various issues and dynamics in the current immigration sector have initiated Committee I of the DPD RI to supervise the implementation of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration as amended by Law No. 63 of 2024. As a follow-up to these aspirations, Committee I directly reviewed the immigration issues that emerged in Bali Province through a working visit to the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration.

During this visit, the Vice Speaker of the DPD RI Tamsil Linrung, Chairperson of Committee I Dr. dr. Andi Sofyan Hasdam, Vice Chairperson I Carel Simon Petrus, Vice Chairperson III Dr. Muhdi and Host Senator Arya Wedakarna (AWK) were welcomed directly by the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration Felucia Sengky Ratna. Meanwhile, other Senators who attended were Hj. Leni Haryati John Latief, H. Achmad Azran, Aanya Rina Casmayanti, H. MZ Amirul Tamim, Ian Ali Baal Masdar, Paul Finsen Mayor, Haji Uma Sudirman, Sopater, Fritz Tobo Wakasu, Syarif Mbuinga, Penrad Siagian, Muhammad Mursyid, M. Sum Indra, Jialyka Maharani, Abdul Hakim, Ismeth Abdullah, Kondang Kusumaning, Ade Yuliasih, TGH. Ibnu Halil, Abraham Lyanto, Maria Goreti, Muhammad Hidayattollah, Hasan Basri, Cherish Harriette, MZ Amirul Tamim, A. Ian Ali Ba al Masdar, Bisri As Shiddiq, Sultan Hidayat and Paul Finsen Mayor.

Host Senator Arya Wedakarna, who was first invited to deliver remarks, emphasized that Bali's current condition has not yet fully recovered in terms of tourism figures. However, Bali still attracts around 7 million tourists annually and plays a significant role in increasing the country's foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, the visit of Committee I is highly strategic for discussing various issues in the immigration sector, including the need for infrastructure. The existing building is still one of the three existing Regional Offices. Bali needs an Immigration Office that can serve as an international prototype, including strengthening its human resources. Therefore, we need to jointly support the construction of new offices, such as those in Gianyar Regency and Nusa Penida.

Vice Speaker of the House of the Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI), Tamsil Linrung, who also delivered remarks, stated that the DPD RI has the constitutional authority to oversee the implementation of laws and submit the results of this oversight to the House of Representatives (DPR) for follow-up. On this occasion, the DPD RI conducted oversight of the Immigration Law. In this regard, the DPD RI received various public aspirations regarding immigration, and these aspirations became material for all of us in this meeting. These aspirations indicate various problems and challenges in the immigration sector. Therefore, the DPD RI is trying to play a role in providing support and strengthening so that immigration can run more professionally and accountably. In this meeting, we also want to get a complete picture from the Regional Office regarding the implementation of immigration policies in the Bali region and want to hear the problems and obstacles from regional stakeholders. We hope that the Senators will provide positive feedback on existing issues.

The Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Felucia, warmly welcomed the Senators' visit to her office and hoped for positive support and input that could support the improvement of the Immigration Office's performance. In her presentation, the Head of the Regional Office presented a vulnerability map in the Ngurai Rai Immigration Office, Denpasar Immigration Office, Singaraja Immigration Office, and data on foreigners entering Bali. To date, more than 29,000 passports have been issued. Her office is also committed to providing the best possible service for residence permit processing and eliminating overstay fees. In addition, "services at Ngurah Rai Airport have also been improved with the use of a biometric-based automated immigration inspection system called autogate, and this system has succeeded in reducing long queues at the airport," she emphasized. The use of the Passenger Analysis Unit (PAU) is also being optimized to improve inspections, security, and prevent potential immigration violations related to the entry and exit process of foreigners, as well as the formation of a rapid reaction unit and humane immigration patrols as supporting elements.

Felucia continued, explaining that the Immigration Office is also collaborating with villages to educate them about the dangers and modus operandi of human trafficking (TPPO). This involves establishing foster villages and appointing Village Immigration Officers (PIMPASA). This program is expected to prevent TPPO through a community-based approach. "Meanwhile, digitalization efforts are also being continuously enhanced to provide the best possible immigration services to the public," she concluded.

Several senators also shared their views and input during the event. Sultan Hidayat, for example, asked about Bali's immigration system's handling of tourists, noting the numerous cases of unethical behavior by tourists and their disrespect for law enforcement. The Sultan also expressed his deep appreciation for the preservation and enforcement of law and indigenous communities in various areas of life, including immigration. However, he emphasized that this must be accompanied by firm national law enforcement against violating tourist regulations.

Meanwhile, Senator Jiyalika Maharani highlighted the phenomenon of one of Bali's talents named Norman Karmelita who became a K-Pop idol. Norman holds a green passport (Indonesian). However, there are indications of a lack of respect for the passport. "How can we strengthen the ranking of the Indonesian passport?" she said. Meanwhile, Senator Abraham Liyanto questioned how Bali's immigration efforts to adapt to the current geopolitical conditions are linked to fast, safe, orderly, transparent, yet strict immigration services that can prevent drug smuggling. Then, Senator Carel Simon Petrus asked further about the explanation from the Regional Office Head regarding the waiver of overstay fees. What are the technicalities of this waiver?

Senator Dr. Muhdi added that the Immigration Department needs to expand its authority, given its vast scope of work. This would allow it to be more effective in carrying out its duties. For example, in the United States, there's even an immigration court. Why shouldn't our immigration department also be given similar authority to adjudicate immigration cases, just as the tax court handles tax cases? Furthermore, Senator KH Mursyid highlighted the declining level of cleanliness and the payment pattern for the 150,000 rupiah entrance fee for foreign tourists to Bali. Mursyid emphasized the need for an integrated payment, not manual.

From another perspective, Senator Penrad Siagian highlighted the persistence of extortion or loopholes for corruption within immigration, such as overstay conditions that can be used as an opportunity for corruption/extortion by immigration officials. How can this be anticipated? Furthermore, immigration officials should tighten their controls on foreign labor service providers and issue relevant permits. Finally, Senator Amirul Tamim asked about the contributions of foreign national taxes to the region, and about the strategic partnership between the Governor, as the representative of the central government, and the Immigration Office. This is crucial for accelerating infrastructure development, such as new offices, new official residences, and so on.

Regarding the Senators' response, the Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration stated that several foreign nationals still in detention centers simply cannot afford to return to their countries. Immigration authorities have communicated with their countries, and they have been told that these foreign nationals committed acts beyond the responsibility of their home countries. Some foreign nationals cannot return (have been deported) because their home countries are in conflict. We have conveyed this issue to the Director General of Immigration to take strategic steps to achieve legal certainty. Firm action against foreign tourists has been taken in a measured manner, while still taking into account the investment climate and the Bali Provincial Government's policy considerations. Regarding strengthening the Indonesian passport ranking, the office has also made efforts to improve the Indonesian passport at the international level by strengthening its security features. The new passport design has enhanced various security aspects, but this policy has been hampered by budget efficiency by the government. Regarding tightening the entry of foreign nationals, various reinforcements have been implemented by optimizing autogates at airports without compromising the quality of service for foreigners wishing to enter. The waiver of overstay fees is only temporary due to the conflict in the Middle East. This exemption must also be accompanied by various administrative requirements, so it cannot be granted immediately. Regarding the proposed expansion of immigration authority, it would be better to focus more on traditional border areas, as these areas serve as entry and exit routes for Indonesian citizens and therefore deserve greater security attention. Therefore, strengthening immigration authority in border areas is ideal. Regarding extortion within immigration, the agency promised to implement improvements. So far, firm enforcement efforts have been initiated, such as the revocation of all state facilities and the proposed dismissal of employees found guilty of violations.

The Working Visit of Committee I of the DPD RI in the context of Supervising the Implementation of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration in Bali Province began at 11:00 WITA and finished at 13:00 WITA.