Silmy Karim Extortion Modus: Complicating Permits, Forcing Foreign Nationals to Pay More
The Corruption Eradability Commission (KPK) has revealed the modus operandi used by the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim, in an alleged extortion case involving stay permits for foreign nationals in Indonesia.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated that Silmy, along with several other perpetrators, frequently complicated the granting of permits for foreign nationals wishing to reside in Indonesia. They allegedly forced applicants to pay extra fees to ensure their permits were processed.
“In practice, the stay permit application process was made difficult and frequently rejected. Applicants were forced to pay additional fees at the verification counters in regional Immigration Offices, as well as paying again for verification at the Directorate General of Immigration (central office), in order for the applications to be processed,” Setyo said during a press conference at the KPK building in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to Setyo, foreign nationals typically engage service agencies to manage their stay permit documents. These agencies then facilitate the payment of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP), verification, and the eventual receipt of the permit.
The KPK stated that between 2022 and 2026, the perpetrators received no less than Rp145.5 billion, either directly or through intermediaries. This money was then distributed to various parties, including Silmy Karim, who allegedly received a regular weekly share of Rp100 million.
“The money was distributed to officials within the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Immigration every Friday; one of them, Mr. SK, received a regular quota of Rp100 million per week,” Setyo added.
The KPK considers the actions of the perpetrators to be unlawful, as they were carried out systemically, from the chain of command to the flow of funds.
The KPK has named Silmy as a suspect in the case. The commission has also charged the former Acting Director General of Immigration for the 2024-2025 period, Saffar Muhammad Godam (SMG); the Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Jaya Saputra (JS); and the Head of the Sub-directorate for Change of Stay Permit Status at the Directorate General of Immigration, Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS).
Other individuals charged include the Sub-director at the Stay Permit Directorate, Bagus Bramantyo (Bags); the Head of the Class I Special Immigration Office Non-TPI West Jakarta 2025-2026, Ronald Arman Abdullah (RAA); the Head of the ITAS Status Change Team, Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP); and Stay Permit Sub-directorate Staff, Gusti Benardiansyah (GST).
They are accused of committing corruption offences as stipulated under Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code.