KPK States Deputy Minister of Immigration Allegedly Involved in Foreign National Stay Permit Case

The Corruption Eradancy Commission (KPK) is pursuing the Deputy Minister of Immigration, Silmy Karim, regarding his alleged involvement in a corruption case involving the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals (WNA). The alleged activities occurred during his tenure as the Director General of Immigration for the 2023–2024 period.

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the investigation into Silmy is necessary to further probe his alleged involvement in the matter. Consequently, the KPK has urged Silmy to be cooperative with the ongoing legal process. “Therefore, we also urge the individual concerned to be cooperative; perhaps he could surrender himself to the KPK to assist in the handling of this case,” Budi said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday.

This case is an expansion of a sting operation (OTT) conducted by the KPK at the West Jakarta Immigration Office. During that operation, investigators detained dozens of individuals, including the Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office, Ronald Arman Abdullah. The sting operation relates to suspected bribery practices in the management of stay permits for foreign nationals. In addition to detaining several parties, the KPK also seized various pieces of evidence, including vehicles, cash, foreign currency, and precious metals.

“There were dozens of people detained in this series of sting operations, and the evidence seized includes cars, motorcycles, and evidence in the form of cash, foreign currency such as USD and SGD, as well as gold,” Budi explained.

Furthermore, Budi mentioned that KPK teams have also moved to several other regions, including Bali and West Java, to expand the investigation, as the case involves various points within the immigration process. The KPK is currently conducting an exposé to determine the legal status of the 17 individuals caught in the immigration bribery scandal involving KITAS/KITAP permits.