The Issue Of Whether Immigration Officers Can Carry Firearms Is Currently Being Reviewed

Acting Director General of Immigration Saffar Muhammad Godam stated that they are currently working on a government regulation regarding the authorization for immigration officers to carry firearms. "It's in process," Godam said during an event at Gelora Bung Karno in Central Jakarta on Sunday, January 19, 2025. He mentioned that there is no specific deadline for when this regulation will be finalized. He added that it would be better if the regulation could be completed and approved quickly. "There is no target," he noted.

This regulation on firearms is a follow-up to Law Number 63 of 2024, which was revised and approved by the Indonesian Parliament. The provision regarding firearms is outlined in Article 3, Paragraph 4, which states that certain immigration officials may be authorized to carry firearms. During the discussion of the law last year, the then Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, mentioned that firearms are necessary for law enforcement, as some immigration officers have lost their lives due to attacks by foreign nationals in the field.

"When securing foreign individuals, they are attacked, and the foreigners are armed while the officers have no means to protect themselves because there are no regulations to support this," Silmy said in a written statement, quoted on Monday, September 23, 2024. Silmy, who is now the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections, expressed gratitude that the effort to obtain firearm permits for immigration officers has been accommodated. He believes that this new legal basis will help address the challenges immigration officers may face in the future. "We are preparing to meet current challenges and to get ready for the future," he stated.

Tag: Indonesian Parliament Saffar Muhammad Godam