The big news on the streets of Krui and Tanjung Seta has not been the 3x overhead surf that is rolling in at Ujung Bocur but rather Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission (KPK) crack down on immigration extortion that's sweeping through the country. The KPK identifed US $8 million in illicit funds flowing directly to high-ranking central officials. Yes many will say this has happened in the past however the arrest and dismissal of Deputy Immigration Minister Silmy Karim and dozens of senior immigration officers puts this action on a different level, nothing short of an earthquake. The shock waves accross Indonesia have been seismic and didn't take long to arrive on the shores of Krui.

Tens of thousands of illegal foreign workers accross Indonesia are likely in full panic mode as they rethink their work and visa situation. Many who have relied on Visa Agents to "fast track" their paperwork are finding themselves in a precarious situation as visa services accross the country close their doors. For foreigners living and working in Indonesia illegally the gravy train has not just stopped but had a catastrophic collision with a wall of integrity and legality.

The extent of the issue and need to take action can be grasped when Badung Regency’s Official figures show there are only 163 foreigners legally registered as working in Bali's most heavily populated tourist regions, including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Canggu and Uluwatu.

Foreign influencers, content creators and local businesses

With the Dharma Dewata Immigration Task Force (DDITF) targeting foreign influencers and content creators operating on tourist visas a lot of Social Media Legends will be reassessing the viability of their income stream.

Under current regulations, any of the following activities on a tourist or standard visa are considered illegal work:

• Sponsored social media posts.
• Brand collaborations and partnerships.
• Hotel and accommodation barter deals (exchange for posts).
• Professional photography and videography.
• Content creation intended for commercial gain.

The framework extends far beyond content creation and includes:

• DJ sets at parties.
• Yoga classes and surf instructors.
• Workshops.
• Volunteering if economic value is attached. Free accommodation??

Learn more about what constitues illegal work in Indonesia.

Monitoring of social media accounts

With the DDITF monitoring social media accounts Social Media Influencers and content creators should look carefully at what activities can now get you detained or deported. Physical presence during content creation is all that's necessary to trigger legal action, proof of payment is not required.

Far reaching framework

The reach of the DDITF is far beyond Bali and operations are taking place in other Indonesian locations. Even content broadcast through a foreign platform will be considered work activity if the content was produced in Indonesia.

Businesses considered facilitators

Under the new framework hospitality business that barter deals in exchange for promotional coverage will be consider facilitators of illegal work.

The end of an era

For local surf photographers who have been seeing their livelihood taken away from them by masked foreigners this will be a welcome move by the KPK.

For those who have been lured by unscupulous criminals into a sense of false security about their future these events must be a terrifying awakening.

For those who have been the victim of immigration coercion and corruption this crackdown is like a long awaited miracle and a positive step for Indonesia.