Corruption at BGN and Immigration Catches Prabowo's Attention

The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has stated that President Prabowo Subianto is monitoring alleged corruption cases within the Immigration sector currently being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

He noted that, alongside the Immigration case, the President should also pay attention to alleged corruption within the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is currently being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung).

“I only met the President briefly during an event in Sentul and did not have the opportunity to report the details of this Immigration sector corruption case,” Yusril said in a video statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday (5/6).

Nevertheless, he believes that both the Attorney General’s Office and the KPK have made these issues widely public, ensuring the President has received sufficient information. He added that when the Attorney General’s Office handles a case, the institution typically provides direct information to the President. However, as an independent body, the KPK is not obligated to report directly to the President, though Yusril remains confident that the KPK is performing its anti-corruption duties in accordance with the law.

“The President certainly has his eyes and ears to monitor every event occurring in this country,” he remarked.

Previously, the KPK revealed that the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim, along with seven other suspects, allegedly amassed up to Rp145.5 billion through extortion practices within the Directorate General of Immigration between 2022 and 2026.

“The minimum value or nominal amount is Rp145.5 billion,” stated KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6).

Setyo further explained that the funds from the alleged extortion were obtained from foreign nationals, service agencies, or sponsors involved in processing residence permit applications for foreigners.

KPK investigators recently searched the residence of former Deputy Minister Silmy Karim in Kebayoran Baru in connection with the alleged extortion related to foreign national permit processing.

Yusril expressed deep concern regarding the legal cases currently being handled by the KPK involving alleged irregularities in immigration services.