"We cancelled the applications because they were not clear. We did not issue passports to protect them because once they work illegally, they could be chased," Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly stated at a press conference here on Wednesday.
The figure slightly increased as compared to 5,059 last year, he noted.
The applications for passports were mostly suspended at the immigration offices in Medan, North Sumatra, with 642 applications; Pontianak, West Kalimantan, with 402 applications; Jember, East Java, with 315 applications; Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau, with 305 applications; and Jambi, with 270 applications.
Director General of Immigration Ronny F Sompie revealed that 408 people had their departure delayed at 25 immigration check posts across Indonesia. The figure was far below last year`s figure at 947.
Reporting by Dyah Dwi Astuti
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
