EYEWITNESS NEWS – BADUNG
26,October.2026
Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has secured 17 Foreign Nationals (WNA) suspected of misusing their stay permits during an independent immigration operation in the Dalung area, North Kuta, on Thursday (22/10).
The dozens of foreign nationals were caught engaging in activities inconsistent with the purpose of their stay permits by operating as online private lenders and using the location as their operational headquarters.
Further investigation revealed that the operation was managed by three individuals, while the rest acted as administrators. They promoted their services through Facebook ads linked to various WhatsApp numbers. They conducted customer identification by collecting employment information, pay slips, emergency contacts, and other personal data. So far, it is known that their target customers are fellow foreigners, with no Indonesian citizens (WNI) found among their clientele.
Currently, the 17 foreign nationals—consisting of 15 Malaysians and 2 Singaporeans—have been subjected to Administrative Immigration Measures in the form of detention for violating Article 75 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, for allegedly misusing their stay permits and providing false information in obtaining visas and stay permits.
The Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Muhamad Novyandri, stated that this entire enforcement operation represents his agency’s concrete commitment to upholding regulations. “The 17 foreign nationals secured in North Kuta are currently undergoing further examination. We also take a strict, non-discriminatory stance in cracking down on foreigners who misuse their stay permits to work illegally,” Novyandri emphasized.
A similar sentiment was expressed by the Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Ramdhani, who stressed that foreign surveillance will continue to be intensified and sustained. “We fully support Bali’s tourism, but we provide no room for foreigners who misuse stay permits, break the law, or damage the image of Bali tourism. We urge the public not to hesitate to report suspicious foreign activities in their neighborhoods,” Ramdhani stated.
This firm action is a manifestation of the Director General of Immigration’s directive to ensure that supervision and law enforcement functions operate optimally, so that the presence of immigration in the community can maintain security, order, and comfort across the Bali region.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
