Silmy Karim Case: KPK Reveals Tariffs for Bribes on Foreigner Stay Permits

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exposed alleged corrupt practices within the Directorate General of Immigration, ensnaring the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim. The KPK revealed that in the alleged extortion scheme, every stage of processing stay permits for foreign nationals (WNA) had a fixed price or illegal levy tariff. KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto explained that the illegal levy practice covered various lines of immigration services. “There are several activities. There are extensions, status transfers, domicile updates, including additions for dependents,” said Setyo at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday. The term “dependent” refers to processing stay permits for foreign nationals’ family members, such as wives, children, or other relatives settling in Indonesia. This entire process became a structured field of extortion. Based on the KPK’s investigation, the practice was allegedly initiated by the orders of suspect Jaya Saputra (JS) while serving as Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status. JS ordered his subordinates, Bagus Bramantyo (BGS) and Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS), who served as Sub-Directorate Heads, to levy extra fees or illegal charges. The requests for additional fees were directed at handlers, including guarantors and sponsors of the foreign nationals. The chain of command flowed down to staff level, namely Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP) and Gusti Benardiansyah (GST), who have now also been named as suspects. The case surfaced after the KPK conducted a Sting Operation on 2-3 June 2026 at the West Jakarta Special Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office. In this immigration sting, the investigative team secured 17 individuals consisting of eight civil servants and nine private sector intermediaries. This operation is the 11th enforcement action carried out by the KPK throughout 2026, primarily focusing on alleged corruption in the processing of Permanent Stay Permit Cards (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permit Cards (KITAS). Silmy Karim was known to have surrendered to the KPK on 3 June 2026. A day later, Silmy along with seven other suspects officially donned orange vests and underwent a detention period for further investigation. The KPK has confirmed it will continue to trace the flow of funds from this illegal levy practice, given the systematic nature of the orders given from superiors down to the field-level executors in processing immigration documents.