Silmy Karim's Residence Searched by KPK, Lawyer Responds
Sahala Siahaan, the lawyer for the former Indonesian Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services for the 2025-2026 period, Silmy Karim, has expressed respect for the search of the residence conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday (5/6).
“Today’s search is a stage carried out by investigators at Mr Silmy’s residence. Since the process began, we, as legal counsel, have been present, as have representatives from the local neighbourhood and residents of the house,” said Silmy’s lawyer, Sahala Siahaan, at Silmy’s residence in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Friday (5/6).
Siahaan stated that his team has been in communication with KPK investigators. He noted that the legal team respects the ongoing process, provided it adheres to applicable regulations.
“There has certainly been communication with the investigators. As I explained, we have informed the investigators in our capacity as legal counsel, and we respect all processes carried out as long as they comply with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP),” he added.
Siahaan admitted that they would consider the option of a pretrial motion to test the law enforcement process conducted by the KPK.
“The [pretrial] option is not a necessity at this moment, but it can be considered. Our focus remains on providing assistance to him, both as his legal counsel and as a friend; we will never abandon him,” he said.
The KPK has named Silmy, along with seven others, as suspects in a case involving alleged extortion related to foreign national (WNA) stay permits and/or the receipt of gratifications within the Directorate General of Immigration for the 2022-2026 period.
The seven other suspects include the Acting Director General of Immigration for the 2024-2025 period, Saffar Muhammad Godam; Director of Stay Permits, Jaya Saputra; Sub-directorate Heads within the Directorate of Stay Permits, Bagus Bramantyo and Tessar Bayu Setyaji; the Head of the Jakarta Central Immigration Office for 2024-2025 and Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office for 2025-2026, Ronald Arman Abdullah; Head of the Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) Status Change Team, Juniadi Sri Priambudi; and Stay Permit Sub-directorate Staff, Gusti Bernardiansyah.
The suspects have been detained for the initial 20-day period, effective from 4 June to 23 June 2026, at the KPK Detention Centre Branch C1 and the Merah Putih Building.
The suspects are charged with violating Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12B of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code (KUHP).
The case involving alleged extortion regarding foreign national stay permits and/or the receipt of gratifications within the Directorate General of Immigration for 2022-2026 was uncovered by the KPK through a sting operation (OTT) conducted in Jakarta, West Java, and Bali on 2-3 June 2026.