KPK has arrested 17 individuals in Immigration sting operation, including Saffar Godam

The Corruption Eradasting Commission (KPK) has announced the temporary arrest of 17 individuals during a sting operation (OTT) within the Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services. Among those detained is the former Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar Muhammad Godam.

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed the detention of the Acting Director General for the 2024–2025 period during a press briefing at the KPK Building in Jakarta on Wednesday. He further noted that the Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Jaya Saputra, was also apprehended. The operation, which initially focused on the Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, has expanded significantly.

The 17 detainees consist of eight state officials or civil servants and nine private sector individuals acting as intermediaries in the processing of immigration documents. Two private individuals were apprehended in Bali, one official in West Java, and the remaining parties were detained in Jakarta and its surrounding areas.

The KPK is also currently searching for the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim. The commission has urged all relevant parties to cooperate fully to assist in the ongoing investigation.

This sting operation, which is the 11th such operation conducted by the KPK in 2026, pertains to allegations of irregularities in the processing of foreign national residence permits, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS). The operation, which commenced on Tuesday night, also led to the arrest of the Head of the Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, Ronald Arman Abdullah. During the raids, the KPK seized evidence including dozens of vehicles, cash in US Dollars and Singapore Dollars, as well as precious metals.