KPK Investigates Brawijaya University Lecturer Over Alleged Payments from Silmy Karim

The Corruption Eradancy Commission (KPK) is currently investigating the flow of funds allegedly resulting from corruption involving the former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services for the 2025-2026 period, Silmy Karim.

As part of this investigation, the KPK is examining Romy Hermawan (RM), a lecturer in the Public Administration study programme at Brawijaya University (UB). The funds were allegedly intended for the academic supervision of Silmy Karim and Bagus Bramantyo, a Sub-directorate Head at the Directorate of Stay Permits, at the university.

“Mr RM from Brawijaya University is being investigated in relation to the alleged flow of money from the suspect in the immigration case. It is alleged that the suspect provided regular payments during academic supervision sessions at Brawijaya University. These payments were made to the witness in question,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when confirmed on Wednesday (30/9).

Budi noted that investigators conducted confirmation and further investigation into these allegations through examinations held on Tuesday (29/9).

Based on initial findings, the funds are linked to criminal activity. “The funds allegedly provided by Mr SK [Silmy Karim] to Mr RM, who is being examined, are suspected to have been collected from deposits made within the Directorate General of Immigration environment,” Budi explained.

“Whether these deposits are related to services or levies from subordinates, they were collected as ‘tactical funds,’ which were allegedly used by Mr SK to be given to Mr RM in his capacity as a lecturer at Brawulating University, within the context of the academic supervision provided to Mr SK,” he continued.

Budi stated that he could not yet provide information regarding the specific amount of the supervision fees, as the investigation is ongoing. “The total amount is still being calculated because these deposits or gifts were allegedly made routinely every time supervision sessions took place.”

According to the Higher Education Database, Silmy Karim was recorded as a new doctoral student in the Administration programme at Brawijaya University, Jakarta Campus, with an enrolment date of 19 January 2026. Meanwhile, Bagus Bramantyo was recorded as a new doctoral student in the same programme, with an enrolment date of 18 August 2025.

The KPK is currently processing eight suspects in a case involving alleged extortion of Foreign National (WNA) stay permits and/or the receipt of gratifications between 2022 and 2026. The suspects include Silmy Karim; the Acting Director General of Immigration for 2024-2025, Saffar Muhammad Godam; Director of Stay Permits, Jaya Saputra; Sub-directorate Heads Bagus Bramantyo and Tessar Bayu Setyaji; the Head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office for 2024-2025 and West Jakarta for 2025-2026, Ronald Arman Abdullah; Head of the Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) Status Change Team, Juniadi Sri Priambudi; and Stay Permit Sub-directorate Staff, Gusti Bernardiansyah.

All suspects have been detained at the KPK Detention Centre. They are charged with violating Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12B of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2022 regarding the Criminal Code (KUHP).

The case was uncovered by the KPK through a sting operation (OTT) on 2-3 June 2026. During the operation, the KPK arrested 18 individuals, one of whom, Silmy Karim, surrendered himself.

The KPK also seized various pieces of evidence suspected to be related to or the proceeds of corruption, totalling approximately Rp17.5 billion. This includes 7 cars, 15 motorcycles, 11 bicycles, bank balances, crypto asset accounts, and various foreign currencies. Throughout the ongoing investigation, the KPK has seized assets valued at approximately Rp150 billion.