Based on information from the Batam Immigration Office, the group consisted of six Indians, four Filipinos and a Briton. They were arrested by immigration officers in a dockyard in Tanjung Uncang on Tuesday morning.

Office head Sudirman told The Jakarta Post that seven of the foreigners were arrested for misusing their visas, while four had overstayed in Indonesia.

"Our officers are still questioning the 11 foreigners intensively. At the moment, they have overstayed and misused their visas," Sudirman said.

The Indian citizens are identified as Krishnapillai Girishkumar, Divakaran Nair Saji, Solanki Gitam Singh, Amandeep Singh, Ahmed Ashafaque and Pillai Sujai Babu Kuttan.

The Filipinos are identified as Baltazar Jr. Baund Pitogo, Ranildo Pederes Cristobal, Johnell Cantara Crate and Celso Partosa Servano, and the Briton as Ian Francis Hesling.

Sudirman said the foreign nationals were caught working in a dockyard, but declined to disclose for which company. Those who have breached the immigration law could face prison sentences of up to five years or fines of up to Rp 25 million (US$2,700).

The latest arrests of illegal foreign workers in Batam reflect increased concern over illegal immigration of foreign nationals seeking work there. It has been suggested that many, especially from India and the Philippines, have entered from Malaysia and Singapore via entry points in Batam. Widespread cases of illegal employment in Batam reflect lax supervision by relevant authorities and proximity with neighboring countries.

Batam municipal councilor Ruslan Kasbulatov said his office welcomed the stern measures taken by the Batam Immigration Office in arresting the foreigners, who are believed to have been working illegally in Batam.

The state has certainly incurred losses due to the offenses because there is a legal responsibility to pay $100 a month in local skills training and enhancement fees for each employed foreign national, he said. "We praise the arrests by the immigration office of foreigners who have stayed here illegally.

Cases involving expatriates in Batam are like the tip of the iceberg, in that detected cases seem far lower than the reality in the field," Ruslan said. (source : the jakarta post)