Officials say internal investigators are reviewing reports that travellers were asked to pay cash for entry at Batam Centre
Indonesia’s immigration authorities are investigating officers from the Batam Immigration Office after reports that travellers were asked to pay up to S$250 in cash to be allowed into Batam through Batam Centre International Ferry Terminal. The Batam office said the Directorate General of Immigration’s Internal Compliance Directorate is now studying and investigating the allegations.
Internal Probe Begins
Immigration authorities are investigating officers from the Batam Immigration Office after reports surfaced that Asean passport holders were allegedly forced to pay up to S$250, or approx. Rp 3,125,000, for entry into Batam. Head of the Batam Immigration Office information and communication section Kharisma Rukmana confirmed on March 26 that the Directorate General of Immigration’s Internal Compliance Directorate is reviewing the allegations. Batam Immigration Office head Hajar Aswad also said the office would take firm action if violations were proven, stressing a zero tolerance stance on illegal levies.
Tourists Describe Intimidation
The allegations gained wider attention after Singaporean outlet Mothership.sg published accounts from two separate groups of travelers. A Singaporean visitor identified as AC said he and his partner were stopped on March 13 after moving to a shorter autogate line at Batam’s checkpoint. He alleged that an officer confiscated their phones, shouted at them, and demanded S$100 per person in cash. After being held for two hours, AC said he paid the money, which he claimed was placed beneath a keyboard by the officer.
Similar Claims From Another Family
A day later, a Myanmar passport holder working in Singapore, identified as Nay, reported a similar experience while entering Batam with his elderly parents. Nay said his parents were held back while a plain-clothed man demanded S$150 per person, claiming there were issues with their Malaysian visas and threatening deportation. Although the family had entered Malaysia earlier that same day without incident, Nay said he eventually negotiated the payment down to S$250 total, or approx. Rp 3,125,000, because his parents were exhausted and their Batam accommodation had already been fully paid.
Pattern of Complaints Over Time
These claims are not isolated. According to reports cited from Google Maps and Tripadvisor, complaints about alleged extortion at Batam entry points date back to at least October 2015. One visitor arriving at Batam Center ferry terminal on Feb. 14 said an officer flagged a “spoiled passport” and presented payment as the fastest way to avoid deportation or long delays, resulting in a loss of Rp 500,000, or approx. S$40. Another complaint from a Philippine family arriving on Feb. 21 described a Batam officer questioning the status of a relative’s Singapore visa before demanding S$150 as a so-called penalty. Both reviews ended with strong statements that the travelers would likely not return.
Wider Impact on Border Mobility
The issue appears to stretch beyond foreign tourists. Reports also indicate that Indonesians making repeated cross-border trips from Batam to Malaysia for work are often directed away from autogates to manual counters and allegedly asked to pay between Rp 150,000 and Rp 250,000 per crossing. Batam Immigration has urged the public to report misconduct through its official complaint channels, including email, WhatsApp, and Instagram direct message. Still, the case now places pressure on authorities to restore public trust, especially as Batam remains a major transit and tourism link between Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The allegations against Batam immigration officers carry implications far beyond individual travel disputes. They touch on border governance, public accountability, and the credibility of one of Indonesia’s busiest international entry points. For Indonesians, the case highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight and protection against abuse of authority. For Singaporeans, who form a major share of Batam’s visitor base, the outcome of this investigation could shape confidence in future travel to the island and affect the broader perception of cross-border mobility in the region.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Batam immigration extortion, Batam Centre ferry terminal, Indonesia immigration investigation, Batam entry fee complaint, Singapore travellers Batam, Batam immigration complaint channels
