Ombudsman Ensures Optimal Immigration Services Amid Corruption Issues

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI) has affirmed that immigration services in West Jakarta continue to operate optimally, even amidst allegations of corruption involving the Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office. Wakil Ketua Ombudsman RI, Rahmadi Indra Tektona, stressed that public services must maintain professionalism and accountability.

"The situation currently under public attention must not diminish the quality of service nor hinder the fulfillment of the public's rights to immigration services," Rahmadi stated in Jakarta on Saturday. To ensure service quality, ORI conducted direct monitoring at the Class I Special Immigration Office Non-TPI West Jakarta on Thursday, June 4.

The monitoring team, led by the Deputy Chairman of ORI and Member of ORI Syafrida Rasahan, observed the service areas, observed the service process, and engaged with staff and service users. Their findings indicated that immigration services at the West Jakarta office were proceeding as usual.

However, ORI identified a potential risk concerning the representation of limited stay permit card (KITAS) applicants by agents or third parties. Syafrida suggested that the West Jakarta Immigration Office should strengthen its verification and validation processes for these agents. "The use of agents must be accompanied by a strict verification mechanism to ensure that the acting party truly has legitimate authority from the applicant," she advised. ORI will continue to oversee immigration services and monitor the improvement steps taken by the office, viewing this as an opportunity to strengthen governance and transparency.