KPK: Total Extortion in Immigration Reaches Rp145.5 Billion, Distributed Every Friday
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that the total amount of extortion related to the processing of stay permits for Foreign Nationals (WNA) at the Directorate General of Immigration, under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services, reached Rp145.5 billion between 2022 and 2026.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated that the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim, is alleged to have engaged in extortion by ‘demanding a share’ from the processing of foreign national stay permits during his tenure as Director General of Immigration from 202lar-2024.
‘During the 2022-2026 period, parties within the Directorate General/Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Services received money directly via cash or transfer, as well as through layering or intermediaries, amounting to at least Rp145.5 billion,’ Setyo said during a press conference at the KPK in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6).
Setyo noted that the proceeds from the alleged extortion were distributed to officials within the Ministry every Friday. ‘One of them, Mr SK (Silmy Karim), received a regular share of Rp100 million per week,’ he added.
The KPK revealed that those involved used specific distribution codes to disguise the money transfers, such as the term ‘angels’ to refer to money intended for high-ranking officials. Other codes included terms related to band concert payments, such as ‘vocalist’, ‘guitarist’, ‘backing vocal’, and ‘choreographer’, to represent money flows to specific parties.
Furthermore, Setyo stated that the funds were used for personal interests, asset purchases, and business ventures, such as establishing a towing company, to disguise the illicit income. He added that when a separate RPTKA case at the Ministry of Manpower surfaced, the involved parties allegedly panicked and withdrew funds from holding accounts to purchase gold. Even some property purchases were reportedly paid for using gold bullion.
The KPK has officially named Deputy Minister Silmy Karim as a suspect in the extortion and gratification case. Other suspects include the former Acting Director General of Immigration (2024-2025) Saffar Muhammad Godam, the Head of the West Java Immigration Regional Office Jaya Saputra, and several other officials within the Directorate General of Immigration.
This designation follows a sting operation (OTT) conducted in West Jakarta on 2-3 June 2026. During the operation, the KPK seized at least four cars, nine motorcycles, and seven bicycles, as well as foreign currencies including Singapore Dollars and US Dollars, along with gold bullion.