Silmy Karim Case: KPK Reveals Tariffs for Bribes on Foreigner Stay Permits
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has exposed alleged corruption practices within the Directorate General of Immigration involving the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim. The KPK revealed that under this alleged extortion scheme, every stage of the stay permit process for Foreign Nationals (WNA) had predetermined ‘prices’ or illegal levies.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto explained that these illegal levies covered various immigration service lines. “There are several activities, including extensions, status changes, domicile updates, and additions for dependents,” Setyo stated at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026).
The term “dependents” refers to the processing of stay permits for the family members of foreign nationals, such as spouses, children, or other relatives residing in Indonesia. This entire process became a field for structured extortion.
According to the KPK investigation, this practice was allegedly initiated by orders from suspect Jaya Saputra (JS) during his tenure as the Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status. JS allegedly instructed his subordinates, Bagus Bramiente (BGS) and Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS), who served as Deputy Directors, to collect extra fees or illegal levies.
These additional fee requests were directed at facilitators, including both guarantors and sponsors of foreign nationals. The chain of command continued down to the staff level, involving Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP) and Gusti Benardiansyah (GST), who have also been named as suspects.
The case emerged after the KPK conducted a sting operation (OTT) on 2-3 June 2026 at the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta. During this operation, investigators detained 17 individuals, consisting of eight civil servants (ASN) and nine private sector parties acting as intermediaries.
This operation marks the 11th enforcement action conducted by the KPK in 2026, primarily focusing on alleged corruption in the processing of Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS).
Silmy Karim reportedly surrendered to the KPK on 3 June 2026. One day later, on Thursday (4/6/2026), Silmy and seven other suspects officially wore the orange detainee vests and were placed in detention to facilitate further investigation.
The KPK emphasised that it will continue to trace the flow of funds from these illegal levies, given the systematic nature of the orders issued from top management down to field executors in the processing of immigration documents.
The KPK discovered fund flows totaling Rp366.7 billion in the accounts of 35 immigration officials, where only 3% originated from their official salaries. The case implicates Deputy Minister Silmy Karim.
The KPK has also interrogated two individuals from private immigration document agencies. The sting operation specifically related to the alleged mismanagement of KITAP and KITAS processing.
Setyo noted that the KPK suspects Silmy Karim began requesting shares during his tenure as the Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights from 2023-2024. The investigation is further supported by financial transaction data provided by the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK).
He urged all parties to wait for the legal process to unfold until the case files are deemed sufficient for trial. Meanwhile, Yusril expressed deep concern regarding the legal case currently being handled by the KPK regarding alleged irregularities in immigration services.