DENPASAR – The alleged misappropriation of Rp. 3 billion (US$300,000) in visa-on-arrival fees by immigration officials in Bali between October 2008 and May 2009 is back in the news, according to Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com)
Earlier reports indicated that all would be forgiven and forgotten after the wayward immigration officials returned funds squandered from visa-on-arrival fees.
More recently, however, reports have surfaced that prosecutors are still preparing to file criminal charges in the case.
Radar Bali, after questioning the status of the case with Bali prosecutors, said the assistant chief prosecutor for Bali, A.F. Darmawan, has confirmed that charges will be filed within the coming month against at least some of the leading officials who pocketed an estimated Rp. 70 to 100 million (US$7,000-US$10,000) each.
Investigators have reportedly interviewed all believed to have been involved in the embezzlement, including the 94 immigration officials who have received administrative sanctions in the form of a reduction in grade by one level and the requirement to repay the stolen funds.
When quizzed as to whether or not all the officials would be charged, Darmawan admitted that there is a possibility that only lead defendants would be brought to justice.
The money was reportedly stolen by under-reporting visa-on-arrival fees; submitting US$10 for a 7 day visa when, in fact, US$25 had been paid for a 30 day visa.
The loss of $15 per visitor would suggest that visa fees from at least 20,000 visitors over a five-month period were corrupted.
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