Corruption Modus Operandi in Silmy Karim Case: Applicants Hindered, Additional Fees Imposed
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detailed the modus operandi used in corruption crimes related to the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals. Officials are alleged to have intentionally obstructed the permit process and imposed additional fees to ensure applications were processed.
In this case, the KPK has named the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim, as a suspect in an alleged extortion case involving immigration document processing and the receipt of gratifications related to foreign national residence permits. In addition to Silmy, at least seven officials and former officials, including staff from the Directorate General of Immigration, have been named as suspects.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budianto explained that Silmy, who served as the Director General of Immigration from 2023 to 2024, allegedly engaged in extortion by ‘demanding a share’ from the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals.
He provided an overview indicating that applicants for residence permits were made to face difficulties, forcing them to pay additional fees. “In practice, the residence permit application process was complicated and frequently rejected. Applicants were forced to pay additional fees at the verification counters in regional Immigration offices, and were required to pay for verification again at the Directorate General of Immigration (central office) to ensure their applications were processed,” said Setyo during a press conference on Thursday (4/6/2026).
This describes an unlawful act involving alleged systemic corruption, spanning from the top-down command structure to the bottom-up flow of illicit payments.
It is known that in this case, fund flows were discovered in 96 bank accounts with a total value reaching Rp 366.7 billion. Of this total, Rp 9.7 billion, or approximately 3%, originated from salaries and allowances. The remaining Rp 357 billion, or 97%, is alleged to have come from parties applying for immigration services, such as visas, passports, labour permits, and residence permits.
The KPK revealed that during the 2022-2026 period, parties within the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Immigration received funds amounting to at least Rp 145.5 billion.
“This money was then distributed to officials within the Directorate General/Ministry of Immigration every Friday. One individual, Mr SK, is estimated to have received a regular share of Rp 100 million per week,” Setyo stated.