August 30, 2026 | 09:27 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Investigators from the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized Rp6 billion during the investigation into alleged extortion related to the processing of foreign nationals' residence permits—a case implicating the former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Silmy Karim. The funds were seized while investigators were questioning three witnesses on Friday, August 28, 2026.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the money is suspected to be proceeds from the extortion of foreign nationals applying for residence permits at the Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs. "Investigators examined the witnesses' statements regarding the procedures for foreign national residence permit services," Budi said when asked for confirmation by Tempo on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Budi noted that investigators questioned each witness regarding the alleged receipt of funds. The KPK suspects that several individuals within the Directorate General of Immigration received money obtained through the extortion of foreign nationals. "There are allegations of money being received by certain individuals within the Directorate General of Immigration from permit applicants," he said.
Three witnesses were questioned by investigators last Friday: the Head of the Residence Permit and Immigration Status Section (ALB), the Head of the Denpasar Immigration Office (RHS), and the Head of the Immigration Traffic and Residence Permit Section at the Singaraja Class II TPI Immigration Office (KOD). All three were questioned at the Denpasar City Police Headquarters.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized assets valued at Rp150 billion in connection with an alleged extortion case involving foreign national residence permits. The KPK's current investigation focuses on alleged money laundering offenses related to the case. "To date, the team has seized several assets—valued at approximately Rp150 billion when converted to rupiah—comprising movable and immovable assets, such as vehicles, land, and buildings," said Achmad Taufik Husein, the KPK's Acting Director of Investigation, during a press conference on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Taufik stated that investigators are still tracing other assets linked to the case. The KPK has also discovered a number of assets registered under the names of other parties. These findings have prompted investigators to examine the possibility of money laundering schemes. "We are still verifying details—regarding the source and acquisition of these assets, as well as the fact that some are registered in other people's names. We are investigating whether this involves money laundering methods," Taufik said.
The KPK is investigating alleged extortion related to the processing of limited stay permits for foreign nationals, a practice suspected to have been ongoing since Silmy assumed the role of Director General of Immigration in 2023. Investigators estimate the practice generated approximately Rp145.5 billion. The KPK also suspects that Silmy received a share of Rp100 million per week.
In this case, the KPK has named eight individuals as suspects. In addition to Silmy, investigators have charged the Acting Director General of Immigration (2024–2025), Saffar Muhammad Godam; the Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status, Jaya Saputra; and the Head of the Sub-directorate for Stay Permit Status Conversion, Tessar Bayu Setyaji.
The other four suspects are Bagus Bramantyo, Head of a Sub-directorate within the Stay Permit Directorate; Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office (2024–2025) who subsequently served as Head of the West Jakarta Class I Special Immigration Office (Non-TPI) (2025–2026); Juniadi Sri Priambudi, Head of the Limited Stay Permit Status Conversion Team; and Gusti Benar, a staff member of the Stay Permit Sub-directorate.
From the time reports first emerged linking Silmy Karim to the corruption case, Tempo attempted to contact the 51-year-old via his mobile phone but received no response. After Silmy was detained by the KPK, interview requests were sent to several members of his legal team. One of Silmy's lawyers, T.M. Achram Taruna, confirmed that they could not yet comment as they had not received authorization from Silmy. “We are focusing on the ongoing examination process at the KPK,” he said, as quoted by Tempo Magazine in its June 14, 2026, edition.
Read: KPK Raids Jakarta Immigration Offices in Silmy Karim Case
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