Inp.polri.go.id - Selatpanjang. The Immigration Office in Selatpanjang, Meranti Islands, Riau, has deported a Singaporean citizen for violating immigration laws.

Putu Sonny Kharmawi Guna, the Head of the Selatpanjang Immigration Office, said on Saturday (19/10/2024) that the Singaporean identified as Lee Tiong Yap alias Li Zhongye (53), was suspected of breaching Article 75 of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration. 

He was deported on Thursday.

"Li Zhongye overstayed his visa, which necessitated his deportation under immigration regulations," Sonny explained, as reported by antaranews.com..

Li was arrested at a coffee shop in Selatpanjang on Wednesday, after failing to provide clear information about his activities in the area.

He entered Indonesia through Batam on 12 September 2024 and departed for Malaysia on 6 October 2024. However, he was denied entry into Malaysia and re-entered Indonesia on the same day via Dumai.

"Li has been in Selatpanjang since 13 October 2024, living in front of a shop and moving around," Sonny added.

Li was waiting for money from his family to return to Singapore, as he lacked funds for the trip. With only Rp 200,000 in cash and Rp 27,000 in his bank account, he was unemployed, having retired from his job as a mall security officer in Singapore.