Ambon, Maluku, Oct. 15 -- North Maluku's immigration office has stepped up checks on foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens, in Ternate after wildfire smoke disrupted travel across the region.

Regional immigration chief Victor Manurung said the inspections aimed to ensure foreigners' travel documents and stay permits complied with immigration rules.

"Immigration teams inspected two departure points, Sultan Baabullah Airport in Ternate and Armada Semut port in Mangga Dua, to verify foreigners' legal status in Indonesia," he said here Wednesday.

Victor said the checks came as smoke blanketing Ternate and other parts of North Maluku disrupted travel for some foreign nationals.

Immigration officials are also monitoring foreigners' ...