Jakarta. The Indonesian government issued a warning on Friday to foreign visitors about the misuse of tourist visas for employment purposes, threatening to deport any violators.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno said tourists are prohibited from working in Indonesia to protect local businesses and the labor force.

"Any violation of this regulation may result in immediate deportation," the minister said in Jakarta.

"A repeat offender will be banned from entering Indonesia for a certain period," Sandiaga added.

He urged foreign tourists to respect local customs and comply with Indonesian laws.

Last year, the government deported 300 foreign visitors for misusing or overstaying their visas.

Sandiaga mentioned that his ministry aims to attract 14 million international arrivals this year.

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