Yusril: Government supports eradication of corruption in immigration sector
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has emphasised that the government is cooperative and fully supports the eradication of corruption within the immigration sector. Yusril expressed deep concern regarding the legal cases currently being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) related to alleged irregularities in immigration services.
“This case involves the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Silmy Karim, the Head of the Special Class I Immigration Office in West Jakarta, as well as several officials and employees within the Directorate General of Immigration,” Yusril stated when confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday.
Yusril noted that amidst President Prabowo Subianto’s significant commitment to creating a clean and corruption-free bureaucracy, such incidents serve as both a setback and a serious challenge that must be addressed firmly and transparently. He expressed surprise that corrupt practices were still being discovered in the immigration sector while the government is actively promoting bureaucratic reform.
Consequently, this presents a heavy challenge for the government to tighten supervision and enforce the law without discrimination, in accordance with the President’s directives. Based on preliminary investigations, Yusril clarified that the alleged legal case involving Silmy Karim occurred between 2023 and 2024. “At that time, the individual was still serving as the Director General of Immigration, so the matter is not related to his capacity or new position as Deputy Minister,” he explained.
“The receipt of funds occurred while the individual held the position of Director General,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Thursday. Budi stated that Silmy Karim and seven other suspects in the alleged extortion case within the Directorate General of Immigration are estimated to have received hundreds of billions of rupiah in extortion proceeds. However, Budi noted that the KPK would only be able to provide detailed information during a press conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Previously, on 3 June 2026, the KPK confirmed it had conducted a sting operation (OTT) at the Special Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta. This operation was noted as the 11th such operation in 2026. Furthermore, the sting operation is related to the alleged mismanagement of residence permits for foreign nationals, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS).