Silmy Karim Files Objection to Extortion and Gratuity Charges
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Silmy Karim, Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) for the 2024–2026 period, has filed a preliminary objection to charges of extortion and receiving gratuities against him.
“After discussions, both defendant Silmy Karim and his counsel will file an objection,” Silmy’s lawyer, Soesilo Aribowo, said during the reading of the indictment at the Central Jakarta District Court’s Corruption Court on Thursday.
The panel of judges consequently gave Silmy and his lawyers an opportunity to present their objection on Thursday (5 November) at 10am Western Indonesian Time.
At the same hearing, Silmy’s lawyer also submitted requests for medical treatment for his client, the unfreezing of his bank accounts, and permission for visits from relatives.
The case concerns alleged extortion in the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals and the receipt of gratuities during 2021–2026. Silmy Karim is among those charged.
Silmy is accused of extorting a total of Rp168.92 billion and receiving Rp33.94 billion in gratuities.
The alleged extortion was carried out by making the issuance process difficult or delaying it, or by refusing to issue documents to applicants for immigration permits or documents.
These documents included Visit Stay Permits (including Visit Stay Permits for Compelling Circumstances and Emergency Situations), Limited Stay Permits (ITAS), Permanent Stay Permits (ITAP), and changes to Administrative Status Transfers (ALTUS).
Silmy allegedly acted together with former Subdirectorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status officials at the Immigration Directorate General of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Tessar Bayu Setyaji and Bagus Bramantyo, as well as Juniadi Sri Priambudi, head of the Limited Stay Permit Status Transfer team.
Others allegedly involved were Gusti Bernardiansyah, also known as Obin, a former staff member of the Immigration Directorate General’s Stay Permits Subdirectorate; Saffar Muhammad Godam, acting Director General of Immigration in 2024–2025; and Jaya Saputra, former head of the Immigration Directorate General’s West Java regional office.
The defendants allegedly received different amounts from the extortion: Rp1.2 billion for Silmy; Rp500 million for Saffar; Rp6.53 billion for Jaya; Rp2.88 billion for Tessar; Rp4.25 billion for Bagus; Rp50.97 billion for Obin; and Rp16.31 billion for Juniadi.
The gratuities Silmy allegedly received included Rp2.56 billion in cash and shares in several securities companies worth Rp31.38 billion registered in his name.
The former deputy minister faces penalties under Article 12(e) and Article 12B in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31/1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20/2001, in conjunction with Article 20(c) and Article 127(1) of the National Criminal Code.