Despite Sting Operations, Extortion in Foreigner Stay Permit Process Persists, KPK Reveals

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stated that allegations of extortion and the receipt of bribes related to the processing of stay permits for Foreign Nationals (WNA) are still occurring, even following sting operations involving officials from the Ministry of Immigration.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that these practices are still being carried out by certain immigration officials, particularly at regional immigration offices (Kanim). “Even though this investigation is currently underway at the KPK, there are still individuals who maintain fixed rates for the approval of immigration services at the Kanim level,” he said on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.

Budi explained that these practices prompted the investigation team to conduct a series of searches, most recently at the Central Jakarta and South Jakarta Immigration Offices. It was reported that during the search of the South Jakarta Immigration Office, 8,500 Singapore Dollars were discovered in the office of the Head of the Immigration Office.

“The KPK subsequently conducted searches in several immigration offices suspected of continuing similar practices,” he added.

However, he acknowledged that some regional offices have ceased these extortion practices following the sting operation involving the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim. “But there are also offices that have indeed stopped doing that,” he explained.

For context, the KPK has named eight suspects in connection with the sting operation regarding foreign national stay permits within the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kemenimipas). One of the officials involved is the Deputy Minister, Silmy Karim. The KPK alleges Silmy’s involvement dates back to his tenure as the Director General of Immigration. Based on investigation results, Silmy is also alleged to have received Rp100 million every week from the proceeds of this extortion.

The suspects in this case are:

• Silmy Karim, Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services 2025-2026 and Director General of Immigration 2023-2024;

• Saffar Muhammad Godam, Acting Director General of Immigration 2024-2025;

• Jaya Saputra, Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration and former Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status;

• Tessar Bayu Setyaji, Head of Sub-directorate for Change of Stay Permit Status at the Directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status;

• Bagus Bramantyo, Head of Sub-directorate at the Directorate of Stay Permits;

• Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of Central Jakarta Immigration Office 2024-2025 and Head of West Jakarta Special Class I Immigration Office 2025-2026;

• Juniadi Sri Priambudi, Head of the ITAS Status Change Team;

• Gusti Benardiansyah, Staff of the Stay Permit Sub-directorate.