Jakarta. The Central Jakarta Immigration Office has deported British nationals Benjamin James Lovell and Benjamin Thomas Sloan for participating in a demonstration by online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojek) in Jakarta.

Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office, announced that the two violated Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration by joining the protest on Aug. 29, 2024.

"They were observed giving speeches during the protest near the Horse Statue, Monas, last Thursday. I directed the team to take action and detain them. They were subsequently brought to the office for further investigation," Ronald said in a statement issued on Thursday.

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Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Silmy Karim, stressed that foreigners are prohibited from participating in protests. "Protest areas are restricted for foreigners," he stated.

The investigation revealed that Lovell and Sloan were in Indonesia on tourist visas. "Despite their status as tourists, their involvement in the demonstration constituted a clear breach of immigration rules," Silmy added.

Following their violation, the immigration authorities deported Lovell and Sloan and imposed a travel ban. They were held for six days before being flown back to their home country from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sept. 4, at their own expense.

Silmy urged foreigners to respect local laws and customs. "I commend the Central Jakarta Immigration Office for their swift action. To prevent further violations and uphold Indonesia's standards, immigration officers across the country are vigilant in monitoring both urban and border areas. Foreigners who breach regulations will face consequences," Silmy concluded.