In brief
Bima immigration officials in West Nusa Tenggara deported a 47‑year‑old Chinese national on October 30 after uncovering that he used a multiple‑entry visit visa to run a seaweed trading company that processed and exported roughly 30 metric tons of seaweed to China. Investigators found the businessman, referred to as WY, violated Articles 122(a) and 123(a) of Indonesia’s Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, and the officer imposed detention, deportation and a five‑year entry ban. The case underscores authorities’ effort to curb immigration‑related commercial activities by foreign nationals.
Bima immigration officials in West Nusa Tenggara tore into a visa‑misuse case that culminated in the deportation of a 47‑year‑old Chinese national on October 30.
The investigation began after officers in Hu’u Village noticed the individual—referred to as WY—purchased large quantities of seaweed and personally tested the raw material at a local processing plant, raising suspicion that he was conducting business via a company he had set up in Indonesia.
Joko Widodo, head of the Bima Immigration Office, said the findings proved “WY’s activities amounted to a misuse of a stay permit and violated applicable regulations.”
According to the office, WY held a multiple‑entry visit visa permitting up to 60‑day stays, yet the company he owned processed and exported about 30 metric tons of seaweed to buyers in Surabaya and China. The investigation cited Articles 122(a) and 123(a) of Indonesia’s Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, and the officer imposed administrative measures: detention, deportation, and a five‑year ban on re‑entry. WY was flown home through Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport in Lombok under the escort of immigration officers.
Joko urged foreign nationals to respect immigration rules and asked the public to report suspected misconduct by appealing to the relevant authorities, saying the Bima office will continue monitoring compliance.
