Indonesia is experiencing a sharp rise in the arrival of foreign workers and tourists, prompting heightened security measures over potential espionage threats. In response, the National Police and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Kementerian Imipas) have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at improving surveillance and coordination.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday, August 4, 2026, in Jakarta by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Immigration and Corrections Minister General (Ret.) Agus Andrianto. The agreement expands their previous six-point collaboration to seven key areas, covering intelligence sharing, training, and joint operations.
“Today we have made improvements to the memorandum of understanding, which initially had six points and now has seven, with various updates that are very relevant to current conditions,” Sigit stated during the signing ceremony, as reported by Kumparan.
General Sigit highlighted that the surge of foreign workers and tourists in Indonesia requires closer monitoring, especially given current global tensions.
“In the midst of the global situation, we must remain vigilant. They do not always enter only as refugees or tourists. There could be espionage activities driven by certain countries to gather intelligence or even carry out actions that could destabilize our internal security,” said Sigit.
He emphasized that surveillance is not aimed at discouraging legitimate visitors but at ensuring national safety.
“Every country has an interest in protecting its territory. We must be aware that foreign actors may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities to weaken other nations,” he added.
Strengthening Institutional Coordination
Beyond surveillance, the MoU also covers joint use of facilities, enhanced training programs, and improved data exchange. These include initiatives to manage high-risk prisoners, respond to riots, and coordinate contingency operations.
“We have also carried out several joint activities, including relocating high-risk inmates in Nusa Kambangan and handling various disturbances, as well as exchanging facilities during contingency situations,” Sigit explained.
The agreement is expected to boost synergy between the police and Immigration and Corrections in managing both immigration and correctional duties.
Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto described the cooperation as a milestone for the newly formed ministry, underscoring the police’s critical role in maintaining national security.
“This cooperation is an important starting point for the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections as a new ministry in the Red and White Cabinet to build institutional synergy with the National Police,” Agus said in remarks reported by Antara.
He stressed that without strong collaboration with law enforcement, challenges in the field would be difficult to address effectively.
As Indonesia continues to attract more foreign workers and tourists, authorities believe that proactive surveillance and inter-agency coordination are vital to balancing openness with national security.
Source: Kumparan, Antara
Photo Credit: Antara
