Batam, April 23 -- The Batam Immigration Office in Riau Islands Province on April 21 took action against 29 Chinese nationals over alleged misuse of stay permits to work at a luxury apartment construction site in the city.

Office head Wahyu Eka Putra said in a statement cited on Thursday that the foreigners allegedly violated immigration rules, with five suspected of abusing limited stay permits, 17 using visit permits, and seven holding visas on arrival.

"The foreign citizens were found conducting physical work activities such as welding, finishing, and installing building materials at the project site," he added, suggesting their acts could amount to immigration offenses.

Putra highlighted that his team had detained five individuals ...