The visa mafias allegedly changed the visa price, and this has become our cause for concern. We have dispatched a team to several travel agents, and we are still investigating this matter
Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights conducted an investigation on several travel agents regarding alleged visa mafias targeting foreign tourists entering the Indonesian territory.

"The visa mafias allegedly changed the visa price, and this has become our cause for concern. We have dispatched a team to several travel agents, and we are still investigating this matter," Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Jamaruli Manihuruk noted in a press statement on Tuesday.

Manihuruk remarked that with this information, all Supporting Technical Units (UPTs) were involved in supervising the travel agents.


Related news: Government requires MA's support in transformation agenda: Jokowi

In addition, his side will continue to collect information and conduct a preliminary examination into how high the visa price has been set by the agents and how long the practice has run.

"Until now, we have not received any reports of rogue travel agents, and we will continue to monitor the progress in visa applications through travel agents in Bali," Manihuruk noted.

He informed that the visa tariff had been regulated in accordance with the Indonesian Government's Regulation Number 28 of 2019 on Types and Tariffs of Non-Tax State Revenue Applicable at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.


Related news: President urges Basarnas to intensify collaboration

Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati had earlier confirmed of the existence of a visa mafia targeting foreign tourists in Indonesia, especially in Bali territory.

In this case, the visa mafia offers quick visas or express visas at prices ranging from Rp4.5 million to Rp5.5 million. The offer was posted on social media platforms, including Instagram.

Manihuruk noted that his side had until now only found one company that was suspected of being a visa mafia. The practice was allegedly running since the past two weeks.


Related news: President lauds Supreme Court for expediting legal transformation

Related news: Supreme court should reduce legal obstacles for development: President

Translator: Ayu Khania P, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022