KPK Uncovers Extortion Scheme Regarding Foreigner Stay Permits from Regional Offices to Central Level
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detailed an extortion scheme involving the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals, spanning from regional immigration offices to the central government. During a press conference at the KPK’s Merah Putih building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026), KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto explained that while the administration process for stay permits is intended to be entirely online, officials deliberately complicated or delayed applications to solicit bribes.
According to Setyo, foreign nationals seeking to reside in Indonesia for work or business must have a local sponsor. Immigration officials at the regional level would withhold or delay documents unless ‘extra fees’—ranging from Rp 1 million to over Rp 1.5 million—were paid. Once these bribes were collected, the applications would then be submitted to the Directorate of Stay Permits under the Directorate General of Immigration for authorisation. Setyo noted that the corruption extended to the central level, where officials allegedly refused to authorise or would intentionally slow down applications if only the official Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) was paid.
The investigation has specifically implicated the inactive Deputy Minister of Immigration, Silmy Karim (SK), who served as the Director General of Immigration between 2023 and 2024. The KPK alleges that Silmy Karim orchestrated the ‘quota’ system through Jaya Saputra (JS), the Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status. Under orders, subordinates including Bagus Bramantyo (BGS) and Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS) were tasked with collecting these additional illegal fees from sponsors and agents for various services, including permit extensions, status changes, and domicile updates.
The KPK revealed that between 2022 and 2026, officials within the Ministry of Immigration received at least Rp 145.5 billion through direct cash, transfers, or intermediaries. The funds were distributed weekly, with allegations that Silmy Karim personally received approximately Rp 100 million per week.
Silmy Karim has been officially detained by the KPK, alongside seven other suspects. The group faces charges of extortion and gratification. Investigators have also seized evidence including foreign currency (US Dollars and Singapore Dollars), precious metals, and several vehicles. The eight suspects identified in the case include high-ranking officials such as the Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar Muhammad Godam, and various directors and sub-directors within the immigration directorate.