Corruption at BGN and Immigration Catches Prabowo's Attention

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has said President Prabowo Subianto is monitoring the alleged corruption case in the immigration sector currently being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He noted the President’s scrutiny of the case is akin to his attention on the alleged corruption at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is being handled by the Attorney General’s Office. “I only briefly met the President during an event in Sentul and did not have time to report in detail on this corruption case in the immigration sector,” Yusril stated in a video confirmed in Jakarta on Friday. He nevertheless believes the Attorney General’s Office and the KPK have widely publicised the matter, providing the President with sufficient information. According to him, when the Attorney General’s Office handles a corruption case, it typically informs the President directly. However, if the KPK is handling it, as an independent body, the anti-graft agency has no obligation to notify or report to the President. Yusril expressed confidence that the KPK is carrying out its duty to eradicate corruption properly according to the law. “The President naturally has eyes and ears to monitor every incident that occurs in this country,” he said. The KPK previously revealed that Vice Minister of Immigration and Corrections for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim, and seven other suspects had allegedly amassed up to Rp145.5 billion from extortion practices within the Directorate General of Immigration between 2022 and 2026. “At the very least, the value is Rp145.5 billion,” said KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto at the KPK’s headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday. He added that the money was allegedly obtained from foreign nationals, service bureaus, or sponsors managing the residence permit applications of those foreign nationals.