Vocalists and Angels: KPK Uncovers Coded Jargon in Immigration Graft Payouts
The Corruption Eradctions Commission (KPK) has revealed that coded language was used to disguise the distribution of extortion proceeds from the processing of foreign national stay permits at the Directorate General of Immigration. These codes, which implicate Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services Silmy Karim, ranged from terms like ‘angels’ to elements of a music band.
“To disguise the distribution of money to various parties, those in charge used specific distribution codes, such as using the term ‘angel’,” stated KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6).
Setyo explained that the ‘angel’ code specifically referred to distributions intended for high-ranking officials within the directorate and the ministry. Other codes used terms related to ‘paying for a band concert’, where different roles received different amounts, such as ‘vocalist’, ‘guitarist’, ‘backing vocal’, and even ‘choreographer’. According to him, each musical group code signified a different amount of money being distributed.
Previously, on 3 June 2026, the KPK confirmed it had conducted a sting operation (OTT) at the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta. This marks the 11th sting operation conducted by the KPK in 2026. The operation was linked to the alleged mismanagement of foreign national stay permits, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS).
During the operations conducted between 2-3 June 2026, the KPK arrested 17 individuals, consisting of eight state officials or civil servants and nine private parties acting as intermediaries in the processing of immigration documents. Among those arrested were the Head of the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office West Jakarta, Ronald Arman Abdullah; the Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Jaya Saputra; and the Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar Muhammad Godam.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Services Silmy Karim surrendered to the KPK on 3 June 2026. On 4 June 2026, Silmy Karim, Saffar Muhammad Godam, Jaya Saputra, Ronald Arman Abdullah, and four others were officially named suspects and detained by the KPK, appearing in the anti-corruption agency’s orange vests.
The four other suspects include the Heads of Sub-directorate at the Directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status, Tessar Bayu Setyaji and Bagus Bramantyo; the Head of the ITAS Status Change Team, Juniadi Sri Priambadi; and a staff member of the Sub-directorate of Stay Permits and Immigration Status, Gusti Benardiansyah.
The KPK discovered fund flows totalling Rp366.7 billion in the accounts of 35 officials within the Immigration and Correctional Services (Imipas), where only 3% of the funds originated from salaries. The investigation into the KITAS corruption case has also led to the sealing of the residence of Deputy Minister Silmy Karim for investigative purposes.