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View all search resultsBatam uses fingerprints to return homeless, mentally ill people to their hometowns
The Batam city administration aims to reduce the city budget burden in providing public services to nonresidents.
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An official from the Batam Social Affairs and Society Empowerment Agency (left) checks the condition of a mentally ill person on April 6, 2026, at the agency's shelter in Sekupang, Batam city, Riau Islands. The city will trace the identity of mentally ill people and homeless people using fingerprints and those from outside Batam will be returned to their hometowns. (JP/Fadli)
T
he Batam city administration is tightening the handling of homeless people and mentally ill people who do not have ID cards (KTP) by recording their fingerprints to be sent to their hometowns.
The Batam Social Affairs and Society Empowerment Agency and the Population and Civil Registry Agency are sending those people to their hometowns if they are not Batam residents to reduce the burden of the ID-card based city budget.
Social Agency head Zulkifli Aman said on Monday that the policy was closely related to population control efforts. The city administration wants all migrants to have clear skills so as not to create social problems.
“If the migrants do not possess certain skills, they are prone to be homeless,” he said.
“Especially if they do not have Batam ID cards, because many of the city administration’s programs are intended for Batam ID card-holders.”
To expedite the process, the Batam Social Agency established a quick reaction team (TRC) that will respond to various social issues. The team conducts outreach efforts up to six times per month, sweeping the locations where homeless people, beggars and street performers often gather.
Officials will move them to the Social Agency’s shelter for assessment. They will also receive medical checkups.
