Denpasar Mayor Apologizes for 2 Foreigners Found Holding Indonesian ID Cards, Family Cards

DENPASAR, KOMPAS.com – Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara offered an apology and admitted that he was caught off guard by the issuance of identity cards (KTP) and family cards (KK) for Syrian and Ukrainian nationals, identified as MZN (31) and RK (37), respectively.

"We apologize for this incident," Ngurah Jaya Negara told reporters when officiating the Kesiman Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST) in Kertalangu, Denpasar, Bali, on Monday, March 13.

The Mayor said that he respected the investigation process carried out by the Denpasar Prosecutor's Office and the Bali Regional Police to resolve the case.

Previously, the Denpasar Prosecutor’s Office summoned the head of the Population and Civil Registration Office of Denpasar Dewa Gde Juli Artabrata on Monday, March 13.
"We fully respect the steps that have been taken so that this case can be handled properly," he said.

Also read: Foreigner Takes to Twitter to Invite International Tourists to Bali amid Pandemic

Jaya Negara assured the issuance of KTP and KK for the two foreign nationals will not happen again in the future. He has instructed the Denpasar Population and Civil Registration Office to conduct a thorough and direct verification if any foreign nationals are intending to make an Indonesian ID card.

"We have taken anticipatory measures. We have held meetings with the district head and regional secretary because this issue has a significant impact on Bali's security, particularly Denpasar," he said.

"We have also conducted population data collection, but if this happens and has an impact on security, it is a shame. That is why we have warned against this matter. Hopefully, this incident will be a valuable and final lesson in Denpasar," he said.

Jaya Negara said that the issuance of ID cards to the two foreign nationals (WNA) was done officially under regulations. All required documents were complete and met the requirements. However, the two foreigners are suspected of forging documents to be verified by the Denpasar Population and Civil Registration Office through online registration.

Also read: Brazilian Citizen Arrested with 3.6 Kg of Cocaine inside Suitcases at Bali Airport

"We are not in a position to judge who is involved, let the law enforcement authorities handle it. It is clear that the administrative processes have been done correctly… and we cannot ignore them," he said.

Previously, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Office in Bali arrested a 31-year-old Syrian citizen identified as MZN and a 37-year-old Ukrainian citizen identified as RK for possession of Indonesian ID cards and family cards. In this case, it was revealed that MZN sought the services of making the documents on the internet.

A resident named Wayan, who is suspected of being a broker, claimed to be able to help these foreigners in obtaining ID cards for 15 million rupiahs ($975). MZN needed an Indonesian identity for business purposes in Bali.
In 2015, MZN came to Indonesia with a social visit visa that was valid for 14 days. He used this visa to study architecture and also to seek investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian citizen bought an Indonesian ID card and a family card for 31 million rupiahs ($2,000). He broke the law to buy an ID card to settle in Bali without having to extend his stay permit.

This article has been translated from Indonesian, partly with the help of an artificial intelligence tool.

(Writer: Yohanes Valdi Seriang Ginta | Editor: Pythag Kurniati)

Source: https://denpasar.kompas.com/read/2023/03/14/105333678/kasus-wna-punya-ktp-dan-kk-wali-kota-denpasar-kami-mohon-maaf?source=widgetML&engine=C.