Jakarta, Sept. 16 -- Indonesia's Immigration Directorate General will impose appropriate sanctions on foreigners who violate Indonesian laws, particularly those who damage the environment or threaten protected wildlife, Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said.

Hendarsam was responding to the detention of a Chinese national who allegedly hunted turtles in the waters off Piaynemo, Raja Ampat, West Papua, before attempting to leave Indonesia.

"Foreigners will not be allowed to act as they please in Indonesia without appropriate sanctions. We must protect the nation's dignity," Hendarsam said in a statement released in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Immigration authorities detained the Chinese national, identified by the initials WS, at Sultan Hasa...