3 busted by bali police for forging covid-19 results for traveling

In Bali's Jembrana regency, three people were arrested for allegedly falsifying COVID-19 data as authorities tightened security measures during the ongoing Eid mudik ban.

Officers became suspicious after the driver of a private car showed multiple negative COVID-19 test results for his passengers at a checkpoint in Gilimanuk, Jembrana, on Sunday, according to Jembrana Police Chief I Ketut Gede Adi Wibawa.

During questioning, the driver, known by his initials AS, admitted to making such forged results ready for his passengers and turned over two others, identified as KA and RHH, who were involved in the illegal operation.

RHH, who was in charge of creating the forged results, stated that he had forged the proper travel document many times in the previous five months. The results were sold for around IDR50,000 (US$3.52) each.

The three perpetrators are said to be from various areas of East Java, but they all live in the Bali province. They were charged with violating articles of the penal code (KUHP), which carries a potential jail term of six years.

Last year, a separate group was arrested for a related offense, in which passengers from Gilimanuk Port used forged health certificates to cross to Java island.