Jakarta Bakesbangpol Promotes Public Role in Monitoring Foreign Nationals

The Jakarta National Unity and Politics Agency (Bakesbangpol) held a public outreach program on strengthening the role of communities in monitoring and overseeing foreign nationals and foreign workers at Tavia Heritage Hotel in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (6/23).

Reflects the high level of international mobility in Jakarta

The event, which was conducted in the form of a public discussion, was attended by students from the University of Indonesia (UI), Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (UIN), Al Azhar University Indonesia, National University, and UPN Veteran Jakarta, as well as representatives from several public policy institutions.

16,463 Local and Foreign Tourists Swarm Seribu Islands

Jakarta Bakesbangpol Secretary Rahmat Hidayat said data compiled in coordination with the Jakarta Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration recorded 74,308 foreign nationals living and carrying out activities in Jakarta throughout 2026.

"This figure reflects the high level of international mobility in Jakarta as Indonesia's economic center and main gateway to the country," he said.

Rahmat explained that the tens of thousands of foreign nationals residing and working in Jakarta include professionals, students, academics, researchers, workers, and representatives of international organizations.

"This situation presents opportunities in the form of investment, knowledge transfer, and global networks, while also creating challenges related to supervision, inter-agency coordination, and maintaining public order and stability," he noted.

Rahmat encouraged participants to take part in monitoring efforts, noting that the presence of foreign nationals can bring both benefits and potential risks, including crimes such as online scams, illegal investment schemes, online gambling, and other violations.

"I encourage students who observe suspicious activities involving foreign nationals to report them to their neighborhood leaders (RT/RW) or the Community Early Awareness Forum (FKDM)," he said.

Mohamad Agus Sofani, Head of the Supervision Team at the Jakarta Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, explained that the agency uses the Foreigner Reporting Application (APOA) to monitor the highly mobile foreign population.

"We work closely with hotel operators, who are required to report foreign guests staying at their properties," he said.

Meanwhile, University of Indonesia professor Hikmahanto Juwana said Indonesia, particularly Jakarta, where the office of UNHCR is located, has become an attractive destination for migrants from countries affected by conflict who seek asylum.

He noted that some undocumented foreign nationals are accommodated by relatives or family members who had already settled in Jakarta, while others enter Indonesia on visit visas and subsequently seek employment.

"Monitoring and oversight are not solely intended to take action against foreign nationals who violate immigration regulations, but also to ensure that state and regional budgets are not used to support undocumented foreign nationals," he asserted.

Hikmahanto added that monitoring foreign nationals in the Greater Jakarta area requires close cooperation between the Jakarta Provincial Government and immigration authorities. Community-based monitoring should begin at the neighborhood level through RT leaders and continue through urban village and sub-district administrations in coordination with immigration officials.

"Legally, undocumented foreign nationals must be dealt with to ensure Jakarta does not become a destination for illegal migrants. Enforcement is also closely linked to maintaining national sovereignty, as their presence can create social problems both now and in the future," he explained.