Bali moves 27 foreign detainees to cut operating costs

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - Denpasar Immigration Detention Center in Bali transferred 17 foreign nationals to facilities in other provinces from January to September 2026 to reduce operating costs.

“Transfers between immigration detention centers are part of detainee management and are carried out according to operational needs,” Denpasar Immigration Detention Center Chief Teguh Mentalyadi said here Friday.

The transfers included a Russian-Israeli dual national sent to Jayapura, Papua Province, on February 24 and an Algerian national transferred to Jakarta on May 19.

On June 9, nationals of Moldova, Nigeria and Estonia were transferred to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province, followed by nationals of Uganda and Senegal sent to Makassar, South Sulawesi Province, on September 18.

Most recently, 10 foreign nationals were moved to Kupang on October 15: two Afghans, three Filipinos, two Ugandans, one Belarusian and two nationals of Turkiye.

Most detainees had violated immigration rules by overstaying their permits or had been involved in security or public-order disturbances.

The Denpasar facility, located in Jimbaran, Badung District, Bali, currently houses 25 foreign nationals from various countries. The facility has a capacity of 80 people, but its meal budget covers only 30 detainees.

The food allowance is Rp39,000 (about US$2.16) per detainee for three meals a day.

Before being transported by air, all detainees underwent administrative and medical checks to ensure safe, orderly transfers in accordance with procedures.

The transfers were also approved by the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta. “We continue to prioritize security and the fulfillment of detainees’ basic rights,” Teguh said.

Related news: Bali hunts foreign ringleader in 4.5-kg drug smuggling case

Related news: Bali deports two Chinese nationals for unlicensed medical practice

Translator: Dewa KSW, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026