Southeast Sulawesi to Deport Three Chinese Nationals over Permit Misuse

Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi — Immigration authorities in Southeast Sulawesi plan to deport three Chinese nationals on Thursday, 17 September 2026, after finding they had carried out activities that violated the terms of their Indonesian residence permits while staying at a workers’ facility in North Konawe Regency, according to the regional immigration office.

The Southeast Sulawesi Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration said the three individuals, identified as GY, WL and CF, were discovered living and working in North Konawe following an immigration patrol triggered by a public complaint. Regional immigration chief Azwar Anas announced the planned deportation at a press conference in Kendari on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.

According to the regional office, an initial report was received through its public reporting service on Thursday, 10 September 2026, concerning the presence and activities of foreign nationals in North Konawe. An immigration supervision and enforcement team then inspected a workers’ dormitory in the regency on Friday, 11 September, checking residence permit documents and daily activities at the site.

From that inspection, officers concluded there was a clear mismatch between the residence permits held by the three Chinese nationals and the work they said they were performing, which they described as being in the construction sector. Based on the investigation report, immigration investigators determined that the three had misused their visas or stay permits and were therefore in breach of Article 122(a) of Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration, which prohibits foreign nationals from engaging in activities that are not in line with the purpose of the residence permit granted to them.

As a result, the Southeast Sulawesi immigration office issued an administrative immigration order for deportation. Azwar Anas said the three Chinese nationals would be removed from Indonesia on 17 September 2026 via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, in coordination with airport immigration authorities. The order is recorded under assignment letter number WIM.27-GR.04.14-005, according to the regional office.

Public complaint led to patrol

Officials said the case began with a public complaint received by the immigration office on 10 September, alleging that foreign nationals were carrying out activities in North Konawe that did not match their permit status. After confirming the information, the supervision and enforcement unit conducted an immigration patrol and on-site checks at a workers’ dormitory in the regency on 11 September.

During that visit, officers examined immigration documents and interviewed the workers. The three Chinese nationals were then taken into immigration custody after investigators concluded they had misused their residence permits and violated Article 122(a).

Administrative sanctions only

According to the Southeast Sulawesi immigration office, the three Chinese nationals will face administrative immigration sanctions in the form of deportation and removal from Indonesian territory. Authorities have not publicly detailed any criminal charges, fines or sanctions against employers or project operators in connection with the case in North Konawe.

Azwar Anas said the enforcement action reflects the government’s selective immigration policy and ongoing patrols to ensure that foreign nationals comply with Indonesian law and that their presence provides concrete benefits to the country. He added that immigration officers would continue to act on public reports about suspected violations involving foreign nationals in Southeast Sulawesi.

Key figures and dates

• Three Chinese nationals (GY, WL, CF) subject to deportation for alleged misuse of residence permits.
• 10 September 2026 — Date of the public complaint received by the immigration office.
• 11 September 2026 — Date of the immigration patrol and dormitory inspection in North Konawe.
• 16 September 2026 — Press conference in Kendari announcing the enforcement action and deportation order.
• 17 September 2026 — Scheduled deportation via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
• Article 122(a) — Immigration Law provision cited in relation to the alleged breach of residence permit conditions.

Sources

• RRI Kendari – "Melanggar Izin Tinggal, Imigrasi Sultra Deportasi Tiga WNA asal China"
• Tribunnews Sultra – "3 WNA China Dideportasi Imigrasi Sultra, Bekerja Konstruksi Tak Sesuai Izin Tinggal di Konawe Utara"