Yusril Admits Widespread Illegal Levies Still Occur in Prisons
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has revealed that various irregularities, including illegal levies (pungli), are still being carried out by bureaucratic ranks in various locations. Yusril stated that this information is based on reports received from the public.
“This is an important input, especially after the KPK has revealed alleged criminal acts of corruption, occurring both in 2023-2024 and continuing presently,” Yusril said in a video statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday (5/6).
He shared the latest information received from the KPK regarding corruption cases being investigated within the ranks of the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs (Imipas).
He added that the case is not limited to the 2023-2024 period when Silmy Karim served as the Director General of Immigration, but continues into the present, even as he now serves as the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs.
He stated that these actions also involve various ranks of the Immigration bureaucracy at the West Jakarta Immigration Office level, as well as the former Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham).
The Coordinating Minister emphasised that all these matters must be clearly and thoroughly uncovered by the KPK, in accordance with its authority as an independent institution conducting investigations, inquiries, and prosecutions in the field of corruption.
“I am continuously monitoring the progress of the investigation into alleged corruption within the Immigration ranks, specifically at the West Jakarta Immigration Office, which is being investigated by the KPK,” he noted.
According to him, this case serves as a crucial moment for his department to implement reforms across the entire Immigration apparatus.
Consequently, Yusril has ordered all Immigration ranks to cooperate fully with the KPK by providing all data and information to ensure nothing is concealed.
In addition to the Ministry of Imipas, he emphasised that investigations must involve all levels, including the West Jakarta Immigration Office and the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration Jakarta, formerly known as the Kemenkumham Jakarta Regional Office.
“There is a possibility that inspections could also take place in other locations to ensure all cases are uncovered, allowing us to implement better reforms in the future,” Yusril stated.
Previously, the KPK revealed that the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim (SK), and seven suspects in an alleged corruption case, allegedly amassed up to Rp145.5 billion through extortion practices within the Directorate General of Immigration between 2022 and 2026.
“The minimum value or nominal amount is Rp145.5 billion,” said KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Thursday (4/6).
Furthermore, Setyo stated that the funds from the alleged extortion were obtained by the suspects from foreign nationals, or agencies and sponsors managing permit applications for foreign nationals (WNA).
He urged all parties to await the legal process until the case files are deemed sufficient with evidence to be tested in court.