{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1931352,
        "msgid": "kpk-to-question-foreigners-in-immigration-extortion-case-1787226694",
        "date": "2026-08-20 18:01:05",
        "title": "KPK to question foreigners in immigration extortion case",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Legal",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is preparing to question foreign nationals as part of its investigation into an alleged extortion scheme involving residence permit processing. Investigators aim to establish whether the foreigners were aware they were being extorted and whether immigration agents informed them of the scheme. The case has already led to the dismissal of Deputy Minister Silmy Karim and the naming of eight suspects, with alleged proceeds totalling Rp145.5 billion.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cThere are several follow-up investigative agendas to question\nseveral foreign nationals who form part of the extortion scheme,\u201d KPK\nActing Director of Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein said.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the agency\u2019s Jakarta headquarters on Wednesday night,\nTaufik said investigators would seek to determine whether the foreigners\nknew they were being extorted and whether immigration service agents\ninformed them about the alleged scheme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhether only the agents were involved in the extortion, or whether\nthey informed their clients. We are examining whether the foreigners\nknew they were being extorted,\u201d he said, adding that the questioning\nwould be conducted as the investigation enters its final stage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is indeed approaching the end of the investigation, with the\nfocus now on establishing the extortion scheme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The KPK previously conducted a sting operation into alleged\ncorruption involving the processing of foreigners\u2019 residence\npermits.<\/p>\n<p>The operation led Silmy Karim, then deputy immigration and\ncorrections minister, to surrender to the KPK. President Prabowo\nSubianto dismissed him the same day.<\/p>\n<p>On June 4, 2026, the KPK named eight suspects in alleged extortion\nover foreign residence permits between 2022 and 2026, spanning the\nformer Law and Human Rights Ministry and the Immigration and Corrections\nMinistry.<\/p>\n<p>They included Silmy, who served as immigration director general from\n2023 to 2024, and Saffar Muhammad Godam, who served as acting\nimmigration director general from 2024 to 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Other suspects were West Java Immigration Office head Jaya Saputra,\nWest Jakarta Immigration Office head Ronald Arman Abdullah,\nsubdirectorate officials Tessar Bayu Setyaji and Bagus Bramantyo, team\nhead Juniadi Sri Priambudi, and staffer Gusti Benardiansyah.<\/p>\n<p>The KPK alleges the suspects collected about Rp145.5 billion (US$8.1\nmillion) from the scheme between 2022 and 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: President dismisses dy minister Silmy Karim following\nextortion case<\/p>\n<p>Related news: KPK detains Dy Minister, 7 officials in immigration\nextortion case<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Rio F, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-to-question-foreigners-in-immigration-extortion-case-1787226694",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}