The Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights has officially established a dedicated Immigration Patrol Task Force in Bali to address violations committed by foreign visitors. The move comes amid a rise in immigration offences and criminal acts involving tourists.
The unit, made up of 100 immigration officers, will patrol ten popular tourist areas, including Canggu, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Benoa Harbour, Matahari Terbit, Pecatu, Mertasari Beach, Kuta, Gianyar, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran. Officers will travel on motorcycles and in patrol vehicles, wearing safety vests and equipped with body cameras to ensure accountability.
“This initiative is a direct response to President Prabowo Subianto’s mandate to uphold stability and security in Bali, one of Indonesia’s leading tourist destinations,” said Minister of Law and Human Rights, Agus Andrianto, during the inauguration ceremony in Denpasar.
The ceremony, held at Benoa Port, was attended by approximately 500 participants, including representatives from Immigration, Corrections, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, the Public Order Agency, and Pecalang.
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Also present were the Governor of Bali, the Chairman of the Bali Provincial Legislative Council, the Bali Police Chief, the Commander of the IX/Udayana Military Command, the Bali Prosecutor General, and other senior officials.
Agus emphasised that the formation of the patrols follows Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, Article 66(2)(b), and Government Regulation No. 31 of 2013, Article 181. “The formation of the Immigration Patrol Task Force is a follow-up to the President’s directive to ensure stability and security in Bali as one of Indonesia’s main tourist destinations,” he stated.
Patrol Operations and Enforcement
Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, explained that patrols would be conducted on a regular basis but with random scheduling to prevent predictable routines. “The patrol team and officers will patrol pre-determined routes, particularly in high-risk areas. The movement schedule is dynamically arranged to remain unpredictable,” he said.
The focus will be on locations with a high concentration of foreign nationals and areas previously identified as prone to immigration violations. Officers will monitor popular tourist hubs in North Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Uluwatu, Ubud, and other strategic areas.
From January to July 2025, immigration authorities recorded 2,669 deportations and 2,009 detentions, a significant increase compared with the November–December 2024 period, which saw 607 deportations and 303 detentions. In addition, 62 foreign nationals have been processed through the legal system this year.
Agus noted that the primary goals of the task force are to respond quickly to violations, reduce offences committed by foreign visitors, and ensure the local community feels secure. The initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the “Bali Becik Task Force” formed in 2023 to address similar issues.
Yuldi confirmed that the Directorate General of Immigration would continue to strengthen supervision through both local patrols like this task force and national operations, such as Operation Wira Waspada. “Going forward, we will continue to intensify patrols both at the local level and nationally. This is a preventive measure and a form of responsibility to maintain public trust in Immigration,” he said.
The government has also increased penalties for immigration offences since 2024, with sanctions ranging from significant prison sentences to life imprisonment in extreme cases.
