Indonesia’s Immigration and Corrections Ministry dismissed 30 officers from the Jakarta airport after numerous allegations they were demanding bribes from Chinese travelers. A diplomatic letter from the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta detailing 44 extortion cases was leaked, putting pressure on the Indonesian government to act.
Semoga surat dari Kedubes China di Indonesia ini bisa menjadi bahan evaluasi dan upaya bersih bersih korupsi di lingkungan Kementerian Imigrasi pic.twitter.com/Ube9eryA6Z
— Buya Eson (@emerson_yuntho) January 31, 2025
More than 60 Chinese visitors reportedly had Rp32,750,000 (~$2,000) refunded after an investigation. It’s unclear how many victims weren’t specifically identified and refunded. These likely represent only a fraction of the total, sine most travelers don’t file complaints out of fear of retaliation or lack of time (the amount per traveler is low).
The airport’s Head of the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement was among those fired – so this wasn’t a case of low level officers running a scam on their own.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy wants to see signage at immigration checkpoints in Chinese, Indonesian, and English warning against tipping and extortion.
The thing is that people choose these government jobs even though pay is modest because they will receive their pay from others. It’s a perk baked into the job! This involved upper levels of management and that’s who we know about. Who was the airport’s Head of the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement kicking up to? A real crackdown here would create problems attracting and retaining employees without much higher salaries.
Four years ago a police officer in Bali was caught on video extorting a tourist for ten times the normal fine for driving a motorbike without its headlights on. The officer wanted the local currency equivalent of $70, which the rider did not have. Haggling worked.
There’s also the story of a mileage runner trying to earn American Airlines status who wound up in a Mexican jail in a scam he says that the police were involved in. By the way police officers in the United States, in many big cities, used to ‘purchase’ their beats and of course kick up to superiors a portion of what they extorted mostly from local businesses and criminals.
At least this was busted up in Jakarta. How likely would that be here?
- At the Washington airports, contracts went to friends, the Office of Audit didn’t do formal audits and jobs went to unqualified friends and relatives.
- There’s been millions in bribes in Detroit and bribery and contract-fixing in Atlanta.
- Meanwhile the Port Authority of New York New Jersey is… the Port Authority. United Airlines even lost a CEO over allegations of bribing PANYNJ’s Chairman. Oh, and according to the Department of Transportation they didn’t keep proper books and so who knows what is really happening to all that airport cash?
In an historical irony, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was created during the progressive era as a structure that would reduce corruption and increase government efficiency.
(HT: @crucker)
They won’t have a recruitment problem even with a crackdown on corruption.
Government employment is high job security employment at decent pay for the place. The airport work conditions are comfortable with air condition, acceptable bathrooms, plenty of food options and decent public transport accessibility for the city with crazy traffic.
Thank you, Gary, for spreading awareness for corruption, anywhere it happens. It is truly a cancer to any society. We desperately need transparency and accountability; otherwise, people get hurt.
On Indonesia, it is otherwise a beautiful country with wonderful people. I’ve been to Bali (DPS) with its Buddhist temples, beaches, and rice terraces; Yogyakarta (YIA) for Borobudur; and Flores (FLW) for Komodo National Park. Hope to return someday for the reefs at Raja Ampat. Safe travels.
Why is it necessary to illustrate your posts with ridiculous AI generated images. Do you think we’re children who need a picture to illustrate the text. Please stop!!
And this is surprising… to no one.
If the immigration officials had asked for much less in bribes they would probably still have their jobs. I have heard complaints from citizens of a country that I visit in Southeast Asia that they have to give some cash to pass through immigration. As a foreigner to that country, I have never been asked for any cash but I can understand selective requests. If I visit certain places, I as a foreigner, have to pay a much higher entry fees.
Came here to say the same thing JD said but I was going to be far more blunt. Please cut the garbage AI images out. It makes you look like a dummy.