On March 10, 2025, Chief of Indonesian National Police signed the Indonesian National Police Regulation Number 3 of 2025 on the Functional Supervision of Foreigners by the Police (“PR 3/2025”). The PR 3/2025 aims to enhance monitoring to promote safety for foreigners and supervise them within the country. As outlined in Article 3 of PR 3/2025, police supervision is conducted at a minimum to mitigate or prevent: (a) threats to the safety and security of foreigners; (b) involvement in spying, sabotage, or propaganda against the government; (c) participation in political activities; (d) involvement in radical, terrorism, or extremist actions; (e) criminal offenses; (f) activities that pose a risk or are reasonably suspected to pose a risk to public security and order; and (g) violations of local customs or social values.
TWO FORMS OF SUPERVISION
Authorities under PR 3/2025 are divided into two forms, administrative supervision and operational supervision.
1. Administrative Supervision:
a. Requesting data or information on foreigners
The police may send official letters or conduct direct visits by the assigned police intelligence officers to the individuals or entities facilitating the foreigners’ stay in Indonesia. The data collected typically includes personal data deemed important by the police officers through an official letter.
b. The Travel Acknowledgement Letter (“SKK”) for Foreign Journalists and Researchers
Foreigners should meet the requirements to obtain SKK. However, the Chief of Indonesian National Police emphasized that the issuance of SKK is based on the request of the guarantor who seeks to ensure the safety of foreign journalists and researchers conducting activities in specific regions of Indonesia. The issuance of SKK is carried out through electronic registration via the official website of the National Indonesian Police. The guarantor must, therefore, provide a written application that includes personal data as stated in the travel document, the type of activity, as well as a valid permit for journalistic or research activities.
2. Operational Supervision
Operational supervision is carried out following existing laws and regulations, ensuring that the police can take active measures to safeguard public order and respond to any emerging threats related to foreign presence. Article 11 PR 3/2025 applies a hierarchical supervision structure. Supervision is coordinated by Baintelkam Polri and executed at all levels of the police force, starting from Kepolisian Sektor (Polsek) to the national headquarters (Mabes Polri). Each chain of command must submit regular reports to ensure accountability and oversight at every level.
CONCERN ON THE FREEDOM OF PRESS
Several journalist organizations have expressed concerns over the issuance of SKK, arguing that it may potentially hinder press freedom in Indonesia. They assert that requiring foreign journalists to obtain SKK creates an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and could be used as a tool of surveillance or control over journalistic activities.
According to existing regulations, the authority to issue permits for foreign journalistic activities in Indonesia falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communication and Information (now known as the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs), with oversight carried out by the Press Council (Dewan Pers). This is stipulated in Law Number 32 of 2002 on Broadcasting, following Government Regulation Number 49 of 2005 on Guidelines for Coverage Activities of Foreign Broadcasting Institutions, following Ministerial Regulation Number 42/PER/M/KOMINFO/10/2009 on Procedures for Obtaining Permits for Foreign Broadcasting Institutions Conducting Coverage in Indonesia. Furthermore, the newly issued regulation does not appear to consider Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press. Instead, it relies solely on the Police Law, raising concern about potential regulatory overlap and the risk of infringing on journalistic independence.
CONCLUSION
The issuance of PR 3/2025 reflects on the Indonesian government’s aim to bolster national security and public order of foreign nationals, including in areas prone to conflict. The regulation outlines clear administrative and operational procedures, such as data collection and the optional issuance of SKK for foreign journalists and researchers. However, concerns have been raised regarding its potential implications for press freedom.
Written by: R. Bayu Perdana, Karenia Emmanuella Bangun, and Tsany Ariqah Tsabitah
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