Immigration Sting: KPK Says Silmy Karim Routinely Received Rp100 Million in Illegal Levies per Week

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially named Silmy Karim, the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections for the 2024-2026 period, as a suspect in an alleged extortion case related to the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals. In a case uncovered by a sting operation, Silmy is suspected of receiving a routine deposit of illegal levy proceeds amounting to Rp100 million every week. KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto revealed that the corrupt practice is believed to have been ongoing since Silmy served as Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights from 2023 to 2024. Based on the investigation, the funds were handed over regularly every Friday. The modus operandi involved demanding a cut from the processing of permanent stay permits and limited stay permit cards through intermediary officials within the immigration directorate. The KPK identified an official with the initials JS, who served as the Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status as well as the Head of the West Java Immigration Regional Office, as the person who coordinated the payments. The case came to light after the KPK conducted a sting operation at the West Jakarta Special Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office on 3 June 2026. During the operation, investigators secured 17 people, consisting of eight state officials and nine private individuals acting as brokers or intermediaries. Silmy Karim reportedly surrendered to the KPK on 3 June 2026, shortly after the covert operation was carried out. On 4 June 2026, Silmy, along with seven other suspects including Saffar Muhammad Godam and Jaya Saputra, officially wore the orange vests of KPK detainees to begin their initial detention period. In addition to the leadership ranks, the KPK also detained four other technical officials. KPK investigators are currently continuing to probe the total state losses and the potential involvement of other parties in this bureaucratic extortion network. The suspects are charged with articles related to extortion in office and gratuities as stipulated in the Corruption Crime Law.