The Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) and South Jakarta Immigration Office have uncovered an illegal practice involving foreign nationals who turned a hotel into an office space. The operation took place on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Terraz Tri Hotel, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta.
“During the inspection, we found that the premises were being used as an office instead of lodging facilities. This clearly violates regulations,” said Head of the Tourism Industry Division of Disparekraf DKI Jakarta, Iffan, as quoted by Antara.
The case began with a report from the South Jakarta Immigration Office, which detected suspicious activities inside the hotel. Acting on the information, officials from Immigration and Disparekraf launched a joint inspection and confirmed that a section of the hotel had been converted into an office by foreign nationals.
Authorities have not released details about the foreign nationals involved or the type of business being conducted. Investigations are still underway, with officials gathering additional evidence and clarifying the extent of the violations.
Despite the lack of specifics, Iffan underlined the principle that any foreign national working in Indonesia must comply with prevailing laws, particularly regarding residence and work permits.
“All activities must follow Indonesian law and regulations. There can be no exceptions” he stressed.
New Modus Operandi Raises Concerns
The discovery highlights a new modus operandi by foreign nationals who misuse accommodation facilities for business purposes. Hotels, which are licensed strictly for lodging, cannot be repurposed into office spaces without legal authorization.
The misuse of hospitality venues raises broader concerns for Jakarta’s tourism sector. Disparekraf stated that it will strengthen oversight of hotels and other accommodations to prevent similar cases. The agency also reiterated that tourism businesses must operate in line with their registered licenses.
“Cooperation with Immigration has been effective in curbing illegal practices in the tourism sector,” Iffan explained.
The successful uncovering of this case demonstrates how inter-agency collaboration plays a vital role in law enforcement.
Commitment to Stronger Enforcement
The Jakarta Provincial Government, through Disparekraf, has pledged to tighten supervision and coordinate closely with Immigration to ensure all foreign nationals respect Indonesian laws. Authorities warned that misuse of hotel permits and work violations will be dealt with firmly.
The government hopes this action will serve as a deterrent and reminder for foreign nationals living or working in Jakarta. Compliance with immigration and business regulations, they stressed, is not optional but a legal requirement.
Officials insist that firm enforcement is essential to protect the integrity of Jakarta’s tourism and hospitality sector. The case also reinforces Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining lawful order and preventing misuse of visas, stay permits, and business facilities.
By exposing this illegal practice, the Jakarta Tourism Authority and Immigration Office have sent a strong signal: foreign nationals in Indonesia must respect regulations and avoid exploiting loopholes.
Source: Antara, Berita Satu, Merdeka
Photo Credit: ANTARA-HO-Disparekraf
