Concerned Over Alleged Extortion of Foreign Nationals' Permits, Yusril Urges Officials to Reform System
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs (Imipas), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, held a consolidation meeting with the three ministries under his coordination. This agenda was convened following the involvement of former Deputy Minister of Imipas, Silmy Karim, in an alleged extortion case regarding residence permits for foreign nationals.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Agus Andrianto, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Law, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Otto Hasibuan, and Deputy Minister of Law, Mugiyanto. Yusril expressed his deep concern regarding the situation.
“The purpose of this consolidation meeting is to remind all bureaucratic ranks within the three ministries under the coordination of the Coordinating Minister for Law, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, in relation to several events occurring since last week that have drawn public scrutiny—namely, various allegations of corruption within the West Jakarta Immigration Office,” Yusril told reporters at the Ministry Office in South Jakarta on Monday (8/6/2026).
Yusril did not deny that the case involves several officials within his ranks who are currently undergoing investigation or have been detained. Consequently, he has called upon his entire staff to undertake legal and bureaucratic reforms.
“We are all very concerned about these incidents. Therefore, in line with the commitment outlined by President Prabowo Subindo to implement legal and bureaucratic reform,” he explained.
“We are conducting this activity today to consolidate and remind everyone of their bureaucratic duties, particularly in providing public services and establishing a robust system,” he added.
Yusril wants all civil servants and officials within his ministries to work with integrity and provide genuine service to the public. He views this as a vital lesson to ensure similar incidents do not recur.
“We will continue to conduct monitoring, increase supervision, and improve systems to prevent further allegations of corruption within immigration, correctional services, legal administration, human rights services, and other units,” he said.
Yusril urged all ministries under his coordination to improve and strengthen their systems. This includes not only the digitalisation of services but also the refinement of implementing regulations, operational guidelines, and technical instructions.
“So that civil servants can work without hesitation; if the system and technical instructions are properly implemented, then these issues will be resolved,” he stated.
He demanded that all matters related to public services be handled transparently, as part of an effort to restore public trust in the government.
“For example, in passport issuance or the processing of residence permits, there are established rules and requirements that must be met. Once an application is submitted, there should be a clear timeline for completion and a specified fee, and all of this must be conducted transparently,” he said.
Furthermore, Yusril intends to strengthen service oversight and hopes to realise plans for external supervision.
“As the Minister of Imipas mentioned, superiors will supervise their subordinates. This supervision will be conducted internally, but we are also opening opportunities for external oversight through the BPKP, the BPK, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure everything operates transparently,” he concluded.