Indonesia Gets Tough on ‘Mafia’ Marking Up Fees for Quarantine, Visa Application Process

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government will conduct a thorough investigation against “visa mafia” for marking up fees of quick visa application process to foreign tourists.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno expressed his concern over the alleged practice of charging higher visa fees to foreign tourists who want to spend holidays in the resort island of Bali.

“Soon, I will visit Bali to discuss the matter with Bali Governor. We will also investigate thoroughly and we will impose heavy sanctions on violators or perpetrators of the quarantine and visa ‘mafia’,” said Sandiaga at the weekly press briefing held virtually on Monday, Feb. 21.

Also read: Indonesia Sets Tourism Foreign Exchange Target up to $1.7 Billion in 2022 

Sandiaga said that Bali Governor previously reported that tour operators allegedly charged higher than the predetermined price for visa applications.

Besides, foreign tourists also reported alleged ‘quarantine mafia’ practices as they were asked to continue undergoing quarantine period at the end of the hotel quarantine following their positive PCR test results for Covid-19.

“The actions by these individuals are not only detrimental to foreigners, but it also damages the Indonesian tourism,” he said.

“The Bareskrim [National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department] and the National Police have formed a special team to investigate the matter following the instruction from President Joko Widodo,” he added.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy along with other ministries and agencies are in the process to establish help desk, aiming at preventing foreign tourists from a similar problem.

(Writer: Kiki Safitri | Editor: Aprillia Ika)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2022/02/22/133000226/sandiaga-uno-bakal-usut-tuntas-mafia-visa-cepat-untuk-liburan-di-bali.