RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Authorities in Makassar, South Sulawesi, have thwarted an attempt by a Chinese national to obtain an Indonesian passport using falsified identity documents. Immigration officials say the individual, identified by the Indonesian alias “AT” tried to pass off a counterfeit national ID card (KTP) during the application process at the Makassar Immigration Office.

Head of South Sulawesi Immigration Regional Office, Friece Sumolang, explained that the suspect was in fact a holder of a KITAS (Limited Stay Permit). “He came to apply for an Indonesian passport, but our officers grew suspicious because he was not fluent in Indonesian,” Sumolang said on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

That suspicion was confirmed when biometric scans revealed the applicant’s data matched a Chinese citizen with the initials LJ. A deeper check of the immigration database verified his foreign status. Investigators later uncovered systematic manipulation of civil registry documents, including a forged KTP, family card, and birth certificate under the name AT.

While waiting during the process, the suspect fled the office, apparently fearing arrest. Immigration officials later confirmed he was indeed a foreign national with a valid KITAS.

The Makassar Immigration Office has since escalated the case for legal proceedings under Pro Justitia, stressing that foreigners with KITAS are not entitled to Indonesian ID cards. Only holders of permanent stay permits (ITAP) may obtain a special foreigner e-KTP, not a standard Indonesian KTP.

The incident has prompted calls for tighter screening by the Makassar Civil Registry Office (Disdukcapil). Immigration officials urged closer cooperation to prevent foreigners from exploiting Indonesia’s population data system.

“We hope our colleagues at Disdukcapil will filter applications more carefully and coordinate with Immigration when foreign nationals are suspected,” Sumolang emphasized, adding that Immigration stands ready to assist with its database of legally registered foreigners. ***