KPK begins determining status of 17 individuals arrested in Immigration sting
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has begun determining whether 17 individuals arrested during a sting operation (OTT) within the Directorate General of Immigration, under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services, will be named suspects.
“Tonight, the KPK will conduct a case exposure to establish the legal status of the detained parties,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in front of the KPK Juang Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday. Budi added that the case review will also determine the specific articles allegedly violated, such as bribery, extortion, or other offences. Consequently, Budi has urged all parties to await the official announcement regarding who will be designated as suspects and the specific charges brought against them.
The KPK initially confirmed a sting operation at the Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta. This marks the 11th sting operation conducted by the commission in 2026. The operation is linked to allegations involving the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS).
During the operation, which commenced on Tuesday (2/6) night, the KPK detained dozens of individuals, including the Head of the Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, Ronald Arman Abdullah. On Wednesday evening, the KPK also announced a search for the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim, in connection with the series of operations.
By Wednesday night, the KPK announced that 17 people had been detained, consisting of eight state officials or civil servants and nine private sector individuals acting as intermediaries in the processing of immigration documents. Notable detainees include Ronald Arman Abdullah, the Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Jaya Saputra, and the Acting Director General of Immigration for the October 2024–April 2025 period, Saffar Muhammad Godam.