TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A post from account X [archive] and Facebook claims the Indonesian Minister of Immigration issued an official letter denying entry to all Palestinian citizens. The post includes a screenshot of the document without a letterhead, dated September 17, 2025.
The account user uploaded an image of a document bearing the name of Eko Budianto, Director of Visas and Travel Documents at the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Impas), along with a photo of Habib Rizieq Shihab and Dr. Basem Naim. The post stated that former Palestinian Minister of Health Dr. Basem Naim and his entourage intended to return to Indonesia on April 25, 2026, after visiting Kuala Lumpur. However, their visa application was rejected by the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Is it true that the Indonesian Ministry of Immigration issued a rejection letter to Palestinian citizens?
FACT CHECK
Tempo verified the content by searching credible media reports. In fact, the Ministry of Immigration never issued an official memorandum like the one circulating on social media.
When comparing the document with Ministerial Decree M.IP-10.HK.03.02 of 2025 concerning Official Documents, Tempo found a striking difference in format.
According to regulations, official memos, which serve as a means of internal communication between officials, do not bear an official stamp. Copies are only valid within the internal work unit and must include the number of attachments. Tempo also scanned the barcode on the letter, but to no avail.
Minister of Immigration Agus Andrianto confirmed the document was fake. He questioned the authenticity of the ban letter dated September 17, 2025, because his agency continues to issue visas to Palestinian citizens.
"The letter was dated September 17, while we were still issuing visas for September-December 2025. We issued 1,270 visas for Palestinian citizens. In November, we issued 20 visas at a rate of Rp0 for students receiving scholarships from the Defense University," Agus said early Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as reported by Republika.
Basim Naim's Application
Basim Naim's refusal to enter Indonesia sparked debate since early May 2026. However, the Immigration DG, through Hendarsam Marantoko, confirmed that Dr. Basem Naim's name was not registered in the prevention and deterrence (cekal) system.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to Tempo's confirmation message.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Embassy stated that entry permits are entirely the responsibility of Indonesian Immigration authorities. "We have no information regarding this matter. The authority to enter Indonesia rests with the Indonesian Immigration authorities," Palestinian Embassy Secretary Indri told Tempo on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
CONCLUSION
Tempo's verification concluded that the Immigration letter rejecting Palestinian citizens is false.
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