B

ATAM: A Singaporean was arrested by the police after hitting an immigration officer at the Harbour Bay International Ferry Crossing in Batam, Riau Islands.

Identified as Muhammad Hafiz bin Selamat, 24, the Singaporean injured the immigration officer’s right eyebrow and back of his head. Hafiz then dashed to the sea before he was arrested.

Harbour Bay police post chief, Adj. First. Insp. Syafrizal, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that the incident took place on March 31 when Hafiz was about to return to Singapore with his group.

An immigration officer identified as Farid found that part of Hafiz’ passport was damaged and reminded him to have his passport fixed upon returning to Singapore, Syafrizal said.

“But Hafiz did not accept it and hit the immigration officer, who did not fight back. Hafiz remains in our custody,” he added.

Syafrizal said Hafiz was being detained because his charge carried a possible punishment of more than five years.

When questioned, Hafiz admitted to having consumed depressants but it was not yet clear whether or not he had consumed narcotics.

The Batam Immigration Office chief, Yudi Kurniadi, said he had filed a report with the police to maintain the dignity of his officers.

“We don’t understand why he became agitated when our officer told him to take care of his damaged passport,” he said.