Joniansyah, Petir Garda B, Jakarta – Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim has defended the recent amendment to immigration regulations that permits officers to carry firearms, citing the escalating dangers they face in the field.
He cited the heightened risks faced by immigration personnel during surveillance and enforcement operations as the justification for this decision.
"There were tragic incidents involving the deaths of immigration officers while on duty," Silmy underscored the urgent need for this measure in a written statement on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
He mentioned the case of an officer who was fatally stabbed by a detained foreigner in April 2023. "The individual (foreigner) was involved in terrorism and was being handled jointly by Densus 88 (the police's antiterror squad) and Immigration," he explained.
He emphasized the significant risks faced by immigration officers, particularly those stationed in regions prone to conflict. He highlighted the frequent encounters with dangerous transnational criminals, necessitating the use of firearms for both self-protection and the apprehension of perpetrators.
"The threats of violence, terrorism, and civil unrest that our officers may confront make firearms not only a means of protection but also a deterrent to foreigners who may seek to resist arrest," Silmy asserted.
The Director General noted that the performance of Immigration's law enforcement activities has improved this year. From January to September, enforcement actions have doubled compared to the same period in 2023, with 3,393 operations conducted nationwide. This surge in activity has naturally amplified the risks faced by officers.
"We examine the practices of other countries with advanced immigration systems, such as Singapore, the United States, Germany, Australia, and Malaysia," he said, adding that in these nations, immigration officers are authorized to carry firearms under stringent regulations.
According to him, the Indonesian government is currently developing a ministerial regulation to govern the use of firearms by immigration officers. This process involves a comprehensive review and public consultation.
"We will establish rigorous criteria for officers eligible to carry firearms and implement clear procedures for their use, including limitations. However, the implementation of this policy will await the finalization of the implementing regulations," Silmy assured.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1922406/immigration-justifies-officers-firearm-use-amid-rising-risk