Angels to Vocalists: Codes Used in Silmy Extortion Case
The Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Setyo Budiyanto, detailed the schemes during a press conference at the KPK building in Jakarta on Thursday. He explained that specific codes were used to determine and differentiate the amounts of money flowing to various parties. “Other codes used the terminology of band concert payments. For instance, the vocalist gets a certain amount, the guitarist gets a certain amount, the backing vocalists get around a certain sum, and the choreographer gets a specific amount. These codes were used to determine and differentiate the sums representing money flows to specific parties,” Setyo stated.
During the period from 2022 to 2026, parties within the Directorate General of Immigration and Corrections allegedly received money directly or through layering and intermediaries, totalling at least Rp 145.5 billion. The money was subsequently distributed to individuals within the directorate general every week on Fridays, with Silmy Karim receiving a routine share of Rp 100 million per week. To disguise the distribution of money, the parties tasked with dividing the funds employed special distribution codes. The use of the term ‘angels’ was intended to signify the distribution of money for high-ranking officials within the directorate general.
It was stated that the money was used by the individuals for personal interests, asset purchases, and business activities such as establishing a towing company to disguise the receipt of the funds. Eight individuals have been formally detained and named as suspects based on sufficient evidence obtained by investigators. The suspects include former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections for 2025-2026 and Director General of Immigration for 2023-2024 Silmy Karim, along with several other high-ranking immigration officials and staff.
Following Silmy Karim’s designation as a suspect by the KPK, President Prabowo Subianto officially dismissed him from his position as Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections in the Red and White Cabinet. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed the dismissal, expressing appreciation for law enforcement agencies. Prasetyo stated that the President had signed the letter of dismissal on Thursday afternoon.