Bekasi. Indonesian immigration authorities have deported 78 foreign nationals from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam for allegedly working illegally on construction projects in West Java, officials said on Friday.

Anggi Wicaksono, head of the Bekasi Immigration Office, said the violations were uncovered during an operation conducted last month.

The foreign nationals were found to have breached the terms of their residence permits after entering Indonesia under visas that did not authorize employment activities, he said.

According to Anggi, the deportations have been carried out in stages since April 20, beginning with 14 Chinese nationals flown to Guangzhou.

On April 23, authorities deported another 11 Chinese nationals to Guangzhou and one Vietnamese national to Hanoi. A further 23 Chinese nationals were deported on April 28.

The remaining detainees are still being held at the local immigration office while awaiting scheduled flights, Anggi said.

“We remain committed to strengthening supervision of the presence and activities of foreign nationals in order to maintain public order and national sovereignty in the Bekasi area,” he said.

Anggi also urged the public to report suspicious activities involving foreign nationals to immigration authorities.

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