Immigration Officials Detain 13 Chinese Citizens in Malang

Malang, E Java (Antara) - The Class I Immigration Office in Malang, East Java has detained 13 Chinese citizens who are believed to not have proper documents to remain in Indonesia. Malang's Immigration Office Spoke Person Romi Yudianto said here on Wednesday that the arrests were a follow-up to the public reports of suspicious foreigners in neighborhoods. "We detained those 13 Chinese people at the Olympic Garden Mall Kawi Street, Malang City, around 2 p.m. local time, when they arrived in a car displaying an out-of-town plate number. And now they are detained and we are investigating their immigration documents," Romi explained. According to the initial investigation, Romi said the 13 Chinese admitted that they came to Indonesia as tourists. "We have the authority to monitor foreigners who stay here, particularly those who raise suspicions regarding their immigration documents," Romi added. Previously, the Malang Immigration Office deported a 39-year old Chinese citizen, named Tan Zhenxiong, for remaining longer than his visa allowed. "He (Tan Zhenxiong) violated the permit for working purposes, hence we deported him this afternoon (Wednesday)," said Romi. Tan, who was arrested during a business trip to Pasuruan District, East Java, is an employee of PT Resyta The Better Wood based in Malang District. (*) Reporting by Endang Sukarelawati