Police officers have allegedly been extorting bus drivers and travelers passing through Bali's Gilimanuk Port, with reports suggesting that authorities are taking at least IDR50,000 (US$3.48) from each traveler and allowing them to circumvent entry requirements.
The allegations, which surfaced in recent days, have prompted Jembrana Police Chief I Ketut Gede Adibawa to say that they will conduct an internal probe, and may even summon the media outlet that first reported on the matter for clarification.
Citing an anonymous source, CNN Indonesia reported that officers would ignore the mandatory vaccination or test requirements if travelers would give them money in exchange.
The source also alleged that authorities would ignore how some inter-province minibuses, a relatively common mode of far-distance travel across Indonesia, are transporting people at overcapacity.
The source, claiming to have spoken with the driver of a minibus, told CNN Indonesia that the driver said he's paid money to the officers on duty at the port in order to flout the rules.
According to the report, the extortion fee varies depending on the number of passengers and whether or not the port is busy.
Another report from Radar Bali alleged that police officers in Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi would deliberately declare valid rapid test results as invalid at checkpoints, ordering travelers to pay IDR50,000 each if they want to board a ferry to Bali.
Upon arriving at Gilimanuk Port, the bus drivers would instruct the passengers to stay out of sight from port officers to avoid getting extorted again.