KPK Reveals Imipas Ministry Officials Used Nominee Accounts to Conceal KITAS Extortion Proceeds

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exposed the dirty tactics used by certain Civil Servants (ASN) within the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services (Kementerian Imipas) to disguise money obtained through extortion or illegal levies (pungli). Gusti Bernardiansyah (GST), a staff member of the Sub-directorate of Stay Permits, was found to be using accounts under the names of others, or nominees, as vessels to collect illegal fees.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto explained that GST allegedly utilised these accounts to collect money from the processing of temporary stay permits for foreign nationals (WNA). The funds originated from guarantors, service agencies, and sponsors involved in managing immigration documents.

Based on data from the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), the accounts used included those belonging to family members, relatives, and even cleaning services and office messengers.

“So, they were not using their own accounts, but rather several other accounts. In fact, the KPK suspects that Gusti Bernardiansyah purchased several accounts to support the alleged corrupt practices,” Setyo stated at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Thursday (4/6/2026).

This sting operation (OTT) is an expansion of the operation conducted by the KPK on 2-3 June 2026 at the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office, West Jakarta. This marks the 11th sting operation carried out by the anti-corruption agency throughout 2026.

During the operation, the KPK detained 17 individuals, consisting of eight state officials and nine private parties. The focus of the case is the alleged extortion involved in the processing of Limited Stay Permits (KITAS) and Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP).

As of 4 June 2026, the KPK has named eight individuals as suspects and officially carried out their detention. The suspects were seen wearing orange vests when presented to the public, including the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim.

In addition to the aforementioned individuals, the KPK has also detained Tessar Bayu Setyaji (Sub-directorate Head), Bagus Bramantyo (Sub-director Head), and Juniadi Sri Priambudi (Head of the ITAS Status Change Team). Further investigations are ongoing to trace the flow of funds in Indonesian Rupiah, which are suspected to have flowed to various parties within the ministry.