Extortion and corruption at Soekarno-Hatta Airport led to the dismissal of ALL immigration staff at the airport.

[pantaiema]

Not just one but ALL of Immigration Staffs in Soekarno Hatta airport get fired. Either they all benefited from the extortion or, at the very least, were aware of it but chose to stay silent. As always, action is only taken when there is significant pressure. This time, the pressure was immense, with the Chinese embassy having to send a formal letter. And this is likely just the tip of the iceberg, as the current exposure only involves Chinese citizens being extorted. It is highly probable that similar practices have affected other foreign nationals as well.

This is the same airport where Indonesian citizens had to stage a demonstration to put an end to unnecessary inspections of small, insignificant items in their bags and suitcases searches that seemed designed not for security but as a means to impose unnecessary duties or even extort money from travellers.

Buntut Dugaan Pungli WNA, Semua Pejabat Imigrasi Soetta Dicopot

Keputusan mencopot semua pejabat imigrasi Bandara Soetta tersebut diambil setelah Kementerian Imigrasi mendapat laporan dugaan pungli.

www.cnbcindonesia.com

Pejabat Imigrasi Soetta Pungli WN China Dinilai Coreng Nama Indonesia

Pemerasan yang dilakukan pejabat Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus Bandara Soekarno Hatta (Soetta) terhadap warga negara (WN) China telah mencoreng Indonesia.

www.cnnindonesia.com

44 Kasus Pemerasan Terungkap, Pejabat Imigrasi Bandara Soekarno-Hatta Dicopot Halaman all - Kompas.com

Kementerian Imigrasi mencopot seluruh pejabat di Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I Khusus Bandara Soekarno-Hatta yang terlibat pemerasan terhadap WN China. Halaman all

www.kompas.com

 

[Dave70]

Tempo, January 24th, “Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers”

Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers

The Immigration DG has detained two Chinese nationals for spreading false accusations against officers at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

Tempo, February 1st, “Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations”

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations

The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia reported at least 44 alleged extortion cases involving immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

If the accusations are false, why are the officials dismissed?

If the accusations are true, why are the Chinese nationals deported?

 

[pantaiema]

Tempo, January 24th, “Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers”

Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers

The Immigration DG has detained two Chinese nationals for spreading false accusations against officers at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

Tempo, February 1st, “Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations”

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations

The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia reported at least 44 alleged extortion cases involving immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

If the accusations are false, why are the officials dismissed?

If the accusations are true, why are the Chinese nationals deported?

That’s a good question, and I don’t have a definitive answer either, nor do I need to. You are welcome to share your own thoughts.

However, these are the facts:
Soekarno-Hatta Airport has long been associated with extortion, causing unnecessary difficulties for travellers.

This issue has been highlighted in the previous post:
"This is the same airport where Indonesian citizens had to stage a demonstration to put an end to unnecessary inspections of small, insignificant items in their bags and suitcases searches that appeared less about security and more about imposing unwarranted duties or even extorting money from travellers."

In recent years, several raids have taken place, by police and their superiors resulting in the dismissal of some immigration staffs for taking bribes and extorting international tourists.

During COVID-19, there was reported collusion with the hospitality industry and COVID testing agencies, forcing travellers into prolonged and/or unnecessary hotel stays under the guise of Quarantine.

Also, keep in mind that they were dismissed by their own newly appointed leader, their own boss (new minister). A decision this extreme suggests that this minister might have access to significant inside information and whistleblower reports that justified the mass firing. Without solid grounds, the minister could face public backlash for unfair dismissal and might even be summoned by parliament for questioning.

 

[Shadrach]

Tempo, January 24th, “Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers”

Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers

The Immigration DG has detained two Chinese nationals for spreading false accusations against officers at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

Tempo, February 1st, “Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations”

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations

The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia reported at least 44 alleged extortion cases involving immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

If the accusations are false, why are the officials dismissed?

If the accusations are true, why are the Chinese nationals deported?

It stated that IDR. 32, 750.000 was refunded! If this true, then the immigration agents must have been guilty! Maybe those two Chinese were guilty, but others were exploited?

 

[john madden]

Tempo, January 24th, “Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers”

Immigration to Deport 2 Chinese Nationals for Spreading False Accusations Against Officers

The Immigration DG has detained two Chinese nationals for spreading false accusations against officers at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

Tempo, February 1st, “Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations”

Soekarno-Hatta Airport Immigration Officials Dismissed Amid Extortion Allegations

The Chinese Embassy in Indonesia reported at least 44 alleged extortion cases involving immigration officers at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

en.tempo.co

If the accusations are false, why are the officials dismissed?

If the accusations are true, why are the Chinese nationals deported?

I guess it goes like this. Chinese allegedly extorted. They complain and are deported in an attempt to close down the complaint. Chinese embassy/government have had enough and use their new, stronger relationship to insist on real action.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Not just one but ALL of Immigration Staffs in Soekarno Hatta airport get fired. Either they all benefited from the extortion or, at the very least, were aware of it but chose to stay silent. As always, action is only taken when there is significant pressure.

They were only temporarily suspended, not dismissed. Maybe they'll fire one or two to show they're doing something, and the rest will be working again within a couple of weeks.

 

[pantaiema]

They were only temporarily suspended, not dismissed. Maybe they'll fire one or two to show they're doing something, and the rest will be working again within a couple of weeks.

That is true. It is actually suspended. Keep in mind they are civil servants. In Indonesia it is very difficult for the civil servants to get fired; Only Indonesian president could do that. This has been discussed in the previous thread.

 

[Jaime C]

Thankfully, I’ve never had any problems with them asking for bribes at CGK. Only run into them asking once, more than a decade ago, at the old Medan airport.

 

[centurion]

Thankfully, I’ve never had any problems with them asking for bribes at CGK. Only run into them asking once, more than a decade ago, at the old Medan airport.

Because you are not mainland Chinese or black.