Batam immigration office faces mass protest over unresolved assault case involving Chinese expatriate

Hundreds rallied in Batam, Indonesia, demanding justice for a local woman allegedly assaulted by a Chinese national. The case has sparked widespread outrage due to conflicting actions by immigration authorities.

In February 2025, a Chinese citizen, Chen Shen (CS), allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old Batam resident, IRS, at Pollux Habibie Apartments. Although the case reached police and immigration, public dissatisfaction grew after CS seemingly returned to Batam shortly after being reportedly deported.

On March 27, 2025, approximately 100 protesters from the Indonesia Youth Congress rallied at the Batam Immigration Office. Their demands were direct: deport Chen Shen, the Chinese national accused of assault, and remove the current head of the immigration office, Hajar Aswad. The protest was ignited by CS’s unexpected reappearance in Batam just days after authorities claimed he had been deported to Singapore.

Contradictions Between Statements and Reality

Immigration officials previously stated that CS’s residence permit (KITAS) had been revoked and that he had been deported following a press conference on March 13, 2025. However, victim IRS and her family found CS still working in the Kabil industrial area. This discrepancy led the victim’s lawyer, Rolas Sitinjak, to accuse the immigration office of dishonesty and failing to protect local citizens.

The incident, which took place around 1:00 AM on February 26, left IRS bruised and traumatized. The police report (No. LP/B/043/II/2025) was filed at the Batam Kota Police Station. While a restorative justice (RJ) approach was pushed by officials, the victim and her family emphasized that they received no compensation—only requesting CS’s deportation as part of the agreement.

Immigration’s Official Stance

Kharisma Rukmana, Head of Public Information at Batam Immigration, clarified that only a written warning was issued to CS due to the resolution of the assault case at the police level. According to Kharisma, “There is no legal basis for deportation at this time,” though he stated that future violations could lead to more serious consequences, including deportation and blacklist status.

Public Distrust and Broader Implications

This case has stirred public distrust toward immigration enforcement. Locals are questioning whether foreign nationals receive preferential treatment. Protesters believe the system failed to prioritize the safety of an Indonesian citizen, while a foreign worker accused of violence remained freely employed. With Batam being a critical gateway to Singapore, such lapses in enforcement raise broader concerns about cross-border regulations and security.

Cases like this may affect Batam’s reputation as a safe and orderly hub for foreign visitors and workers. The lack of transparency and firm action could undermine trust in immigration enforcement, especially for travelers and businesses reliant on seamless regional cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore.

Sources: Tribun News (2025), Batam News (2025)

Keywords: Chen Shen, IRS Case, Batam Immigration, Deportation Controversy, Youth Congress Protest