Silmy Karim Allegedly Received Foreigner Stay Permit Kickbacks Since Tenure as Director General Continued to Deputy Minister
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that Silmy Karim, the inactive Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, allegedly received illegal payments related to foreign national stay permits throughout his tenure as both Director General and Deputy Minister. This was revealed by the KPK’s Deputy for Prosecution and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026).
Asep explained that preliminary investigations and witness testimonies indicate the illicit activities spanned his entire period in leadership, from his time as Director General of Immigration (2023-2024) to his role as Deputy Minister (2025-2026).
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated that Silmy Karim allegedly orchestrated an extortion scheme by ‘requesting shares’ from the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals through Jaya Saputra, the Director of Stay Permits, who currently serves as the Head of the West Java Immigration Regional Office. According to the investigation, subordinates were instructed to collect ‘extra fees’ or illegal levies from sponsors and applicants for various services, including permit extensions, status changes, and domicile updates.
The scale of the corruption is significant; the KPK revealed that between 2022 and 2026, various officials within the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Immigration received funds—via cash, transfers, or intermediaries—amounting to at least Rp 145.5 billion. The commission estimates that the weekly distribution of these funds occurred every Friday, with Silmy Karim allegedly receiving approximately Rp 100 million per week.
Silmy Karim has been officially detained by the KPK, alongside seven other suspects. The group faces charges related to 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 are:
Silmy Karim (SK) – Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services 2025-2026 and former Director General of Immigration 2023-2024
Saffar Muhammad Godam (SMG) – Acting Director General of Immigration 2024-2025
Jaya Saputra (JS) – Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status
Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS) – Sub-director of Stay Permit Status Change
Bagus Bramantyo (BGS) – Sub-director at the Directorate of Stay Permits
Ronald Arman Abdullah (RAA) – Head of Central Jakarta Immigration Office 2024-2025 and West Jakarta Immigration Office 2025-2026
Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP) – Head of ITAS Status Change Team
Gusti Benardiansyah (GST) – Staff of the Stay Permit Sub-directorate