KPK Arrests Private Individuals in Bali Over Foreigner Stay Permit Bribery, Initial Checks Held at Regional Police HQ
The Bali Regional Police (Polda Bali) headquarters was used as a location for initial examinations in a sting operation (OTT) conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding alleged bribery in immigration document processing. Two private individuals arrested by the KPK on the Island of the Gods underwent initial checks at the Bali Police facility before being flown to Jakarta.
Head of Public Relations for Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, confirmed a request for assistance from the KPK to use facilities at the Bali Police headquarters to conduct initial examinations of those detained in the operation. “Bali Police merely provided support in the form of a location and facilities required by the KPK team. The substance of the examination and the handling of the case are entirely under the KPK’s authority,” Ariasandy stated on Thursday.
The involvement of the Bali Police in this case is limited to providing support to the KPK team during the examination process in Bali. KPK investigators are still developing the case construction and have not yet announced the parties designated as suspects.
The case under investigation relates to alleged bribery practices in the processing of immigration documents, specifically Limited Stay Permit Cards (KITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit Cards (KITAP) for foreign nationals. The KPK is also developing connections between the arrests in Bali and an earlier sting operation that ensnared several immigration officials and employees in West Jakarta.
The KPK previously revealed that the initial sting operation was related to alleged corruption in the processing of immigration documents for foreign nationals. During the operation conducted in several locations, a total of 17 people were detained for questioning. KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the two individuals detained in Bali are private parties involved in immigration document processing.