How the KPK Uncovered Alleged Extortion in Foreigner Stay Permit Processes
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman, Setyo Budiyanto, explained during a press conference at the KPK’s Merah Putih building in South Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026) that the closed investigation began with the analysis of mobile banking transactions. It was through these mobile banking records that various irregularities were uncovered.
Budiyanto stated that these mobile banking accounts are suspected to be ‘holding accounts’ for funds obtained through extortion during the limited stay permit process for foreign nationals. Investigators also discovered the use of coded language, such as the code ‘malaikat’ (angel), allegedly used to disguise the nature of the payments. The funds were deposited into these accounts, withdrawn, and then distributed to various individuals identified by initials.
Furthermore, Budiyando noted that this investigation is an extension of the 2025 case involving the Plan for the Use of Foreign Workers (RPTKA) at the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker), following reports from the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK). He emphasised that the investigation is based not only on public complaints but also on internal information from various ministries and agencies, as well as whistleblower systems.
In relation to the extortion and gratification case involving foreign national stay permits, the KPK received PPATK reports regarding financial transactions involving employees of the Ministry of Immigration and Aliens (Kemen Imipas). The reports identified fund flows across 96 bank accounts, totalling Rp 366.7 billion, involving 35 employees between 2019 and 2025.
As of now, eight individuals have been detained, including Silmy Karim. The list of detainees includes:
Former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Aliens 2025-2026 and Director General of Immigration 2023-2024, Silmy Karim (SK)
Acting Director General of Immigration 2024-2025, Saffar Muhammad Godam (SMG)
Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status, Directorate General of Immigration, Jaya Saputra (JS)
Head of Sub-directorate for Change of Stay Permit Status, Directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status, Directorate General of Immigration, Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS)
Head of Sub-directorate in the Directorate of Stay Permits, Bagus Bramantyo (BGS)
Head of Central Jakarta Immigration Office 2024-2025 and Head of Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office West Jakarta 2025-2026, Ronald Arman Abdullah (RAA)
Head of the ITAS Status Change Team, Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP)
Staff of the Stay Permit Sub-directorate, Gusti Benardiansyah (GST)