Press conference. Immigration’s Response to viral news of @kristentootie twitter account.
The viral news about the tweet of a foreigner on the @kristentootie Twitter account on January 17, 2021, was an invitation for foreigners to move to Bali during the corona pandemic. The person concerned stated that she could provide easy entry to Bali through the recommended agent who offered a cheap cost of living in Bali, comfortable, and LGBTQ + friendly. Apart from being on Twitter, it is also published in an e-book and followed by a paid online consultation.
This has become a trending topic on social media and mainstream media on January 17 and 18, 2021. In relation to this, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali took the following steps:
1. Checking the incoming data for foreigners on behalf of Kristen Antoinette Gray who entered the territory of Indonesia on January 21, 2020, at 23:04:54 WITA through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Furthermore, Kristen Antoinette Gray extended her residence permit at the TPI Denpasar Class I immigration office on December 22, 2020 which is valid until January 24, 2021.
2. After checking by immigration officers, Kristen Antoinette Gray’s sponsor is IGW who was residing in the Ubud area. The immigration officer carried out a field check on January 18, 2021.
3. On 19 January 2021, immigration officers made a call through a sponsor for Kristian Antoinette Gray to attend the TPI Denpasar Class I immigration office for further investigation.
The tweet of @kristentootie inviting foreigners to move to Bali during the pandemic certainly against the Circular Letter of the Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Number 2 of 2021 regarding the international travel health protocol during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Circular Letter of the Director-General of Immigration No. IMI-0103 GR.01.01 / 2021 concerning temporary restrictions on the entry of foreigners into Indonesian territory during the Covid 19 pandemic.
From the results of the inspection conducted by the TPI Denpasar class I immigration office, it is suspected that the foreigner (Kristen Gray) has disseminated information deemed to be disturbing to the public, including:
1. LGBTQF (queer-friendly) which in Bali Province provides comfort and is not a problem.
2. Easy access to Indonesian territory during the pandemic, so it should be suspected of violating article 75 paragraph 1 of law number 6 of 2011 concerning immigration which reads:
Immigration officials have the authority to carry out immigration administrative actions against foreigners in the territory of Indonesia who carry out dangerous activities and are reasonably suspected of endangering security and public order or do not respect or obey laws and regulations.
In addition to the aforementioned, the said foreigner is suspected of carrying out business activities through the sale of e-books and paid consultation so that she may be subject to sanctions in accordance with Article 122 letter (a) of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning immigration which reads: Any foreigner who deliberately misuses or does activities that are inconsistent with the purpose of the residence permit granted to them.
Follow-up:
1. American citizens on behalf of Kristen Antoinette Gray are subject to administrative immigration measures in the form of deportation (expulsion) as referred to in Article 75 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 Letter (f) of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning immigration;
2. Regarding the deportation process, an American citizen on behalf of Kristen Antoinette Gray will be placed in the detention room of the TPI Denpasar Class I immigration office.
note:
The regional office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in Bali urges foreign citizens to comply with the current Covid-19 pandemic to comply with health protocols and to follow correct procedures regarding visa processing while in Indonesia.
Head of the regional office,
Jamaruli Manihuruk
NIP 19670330 199103 1 001