Silmy Karim under KPK scrutiny following Immigration Director General tenure

The Corruption Eradification Commission (KPK) has revealed that the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services, Silmy Karim, is under investigation following his tenure as the Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights from January 2023 to October 2024. Speaking at the KPK’s Gedung Juang in Jakarta on Wednesday, KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that the official’s involvement is being scrutinised. When asked if Silmy Karim is suspected of involvement in bribery, Budi stated that the KPK is still investigating the allegations and noted that Silmy Karim’s testimony is essential to clarifying the case. The commission has urged the Deputy Minister to cooperate fully and suggested he surrender to the KPK to assist in the legal process.

The investigation follows a sting operation (OTT) conducted at the Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, marking the eleventh such operation in 2026. The operation pertains to alleged irregularities in the processing of foreign national residency permits, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS). During the operation, which commenced on Tuesday night, the KPK detained dozens of individuals, including the Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office, Ronald Arman Abdullah. Authorities also seized evidence including dozens of vehicles, cash in US Dollars and Singapore Dollars, and precious metals.

As of Wednesday evening, the KPK announced that 17 individuals have been detained, comprising eight state officials or civil servants and nine private sector intermediaries involved in immigration document processing. High-ranking officials among those detained include Ronald Arman Abdullah, the Head of the West Java Immigration Regional Office, Jaya Saputra, and the Acting Director General of Immigration for the period of October 2024 to April 2025, Saffar Muhammad Godam.