BALINEWSID.COM, KUPANG – The Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) recorded strong performance in the first half of 2026, generating Rp21.48 billion in non-tax state revenue (PNBP), exceeding its target by 85.61 percent.

The achievement was announced by Head of the NTT Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Saroha Manullang, during a press conference at the Kupang Class I Immigration Office on Thursday (July 23, 2026).

Saroha was accompanied by the heads of immigration offices across NTT, including Head of the Kupang Class I Immigration Office Ma’mum, Head of the Belu Class II Immigration Office Yusuf Ginting, Head of the Maumere Class II Immigration Office Dianta Sinuraya, Head of the Labuan Bajo Immigration Office Charles C. Mathaus, and Head of the Kupang Immigration Detention Center (Rudenim) I Made Surya Artha.

In addition to its PNBP performance, NTT’s immigration offices issued 10,071 passports and 22,016 stay permits for foreign nationals during the first half of 2026.

The performance earned the NTT Regional Office second place nationally in an evaluation conducted by the Minister of Immigration and Corrections.

Saroha expressed his appreciation to all personnel for continuing to provide public services and carry out immigration supervision despite limited resources.

“Despite our limitations and shortcomings, we have worked together across all immigration offices in NTT to maximize the resources available to us. This has not discouraged us; instead, it has encouraged us to develop innovations in public services,” Saroha said.

The NTT immigration jurisdiction faces significant geographical challenges, covering approximately 47,350 square kilometers and encompassing 1,192 islands. Immigration supervision is conducted through independent operations, joint operations, and activities carried out by the Foreigners Monitoring Team (Timpora).

As of the first half of 2026, the NTT Regional Office had established 28 Immigration-Assisted Villages, supported by 19 Immigration-Assisted Village Development Officers (PIMPASA).

Meanwhile, the number of people crossing through NTT’s immigration checkpoints during the first six months of 2026 reached 368,162, consisting of 177,341 departures and 190,821 arrivals.

As part of efforts to prevent human trafficking and human smuggling, immigration officers suspended passport applications from 73 applicants. In addition, 17 people were prevented from departing through immigration checkpoints within the NTT immigration jurisdiction after they were suspected of attempting to travel through non-procedural channels.

In the border area, the Atambua Immigration Office faces particular challenges due to its direct border with Timor-Leste. Immigration services and supervision are carried out in collaboration with various relevant government agencies.

“Atambua is the country’s frontline. The challenges are highly complex, ranging from cross-border traffic to potential immigration vulnerabilities. We are focused on optimizing public services and strengthening supervision along the border while continuing to prioritize national security and sovereignty,” Saroha said.

Meanwhile, the Maumere Immigration Office is pushing forward plans to establish an immigration office in Larantuka. The move is considered strategic to bring immigration services closer to communities in eastern Flores while strengthening protection for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).

In terms of immigration law enforcement, the Kupang Immigration Detention Center is currently handling nine Uzbekistani nationals out of a total of 16 individuals suspected of violating immigration regulations and planning to travel illegally to Australia. The other seven individuals had previously been deported by the Kupang Immigration Office.

Overall, immigration authorities in NTT have carried out administrative immigration measures, including the deportation of 62 foreign nationals deemed to have violated Indonesian immigration regulations.

Looking ahead, the NTT Regional Office plans to strengthen immigration services and supervision through the proposed establishment of four new immigration offices in Alor, East Flores, Ngada, and East Sumba.

The construction of a government-owned apartment complex in Labuan Bajo is also being monitored as part of efforts to improve personnel welfare and support immigration services in the super-priority tourism destination.

Under the theme “Immigration for the People,” the NTT Directorate General of Immigration has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening immigration supervision, safeguarding national sovereignty, and providing excellent immigration services to the public.