KPK: Immigration Sting Operation Involving Silmy Karim Originated from Foreign Worker Extortion Case at Ministry of Manpower

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that the alleged extortion case within the Directorate General of Immigration, which has implicated Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim, originated from the handling of a foreign worker utilisation plan (RPTKA) case at the Ministry of Manpower. The RPTKA case concerns alleged extortion in the processing of foreign worker utilisation plans at the Ministry of Manpower. KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated at the KPK’s Red and White building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6) that the covert investigation began as a follow-up to the foreign worker utilisation plan case at the Ministry of Manpower, which had been handled by KPK investigators in 2025. Setyo added that the investigation was also supported by financial transaction report data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK). He noted that such investigations could stem not only from public complaints but also from whistleblowing systems, including internal reports from ministries, agencies, and other bodies. The KPK had previously confirmed on 3 June 2026 that it had conducted a sting operation at the West Jakarta Special Non-TPI Class I Immigration Office, marking the eleventh such operation in 2026. The operation related to alleged bribery in the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals, specifically permanent stay permits (KITAP) and limited stay permits (KITAS). During the operation conducted over 2–3 June 2026, the KPK arrested 17 individuals, comprising eight state officials or civil servants and nine private sector intermediaries involved in the processing of immigration documents. Among those arrested were West Jakarta Special Non-TPI Class I Immigration Office Head Ronald Arman Abdullah, West Java Regional Office Head of the Directorate General of Immigration Jaya Saputra—who had served as Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status from November 2024 to October 2025—and Acting Director General of Immigration from October 2024 to April 2025, Saffar Muhammad Godam. Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim surrendered himself to the KPK on 3 June 2026. On 4 June 2026, Silmy Karim, Saffar Muhammad Godam, Jaya Saputra, Ronald Arman Abdullah, and four others were officially named suspects and detained, appearing in the anti-corruption agency’s orange vests. The other four individuals are Head of Sub-Directorate at the Directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status Tessar Bayu Setyaji and Bagus Bramantyo, ITAS Status Transfer Team Leader Juniadi Sri Priambudi, and Sub-Directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status staff member Gusti Benardiansyah.