Silmy Karim receives Rp100 mln weekly from immigration extortion

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections for the 2024-2026 period, Silmy Karim, received a regular portion of alleged extortion proceeds of approximately Rp100 million (US$5,425) per week.

"Every Friday, he is estimated to receive approximately Rp100 million per week," KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto informed on Thursday.

His office suspects that Silmy Karim began soliciting his share of the proceeds after serving as Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights from 2023-2024.

"By requesting a share of the foreign nationals' residence permit processing through JS. JS is the Director of Residence Permits and Immigration Status and currently serves as Head of the West Java Regional Immigration Office," Budiyanto continued.

On June 3, the anti-graft agency confirmed its sting operation (OTT) at the West Jakarta Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office.

The operation was related to alleged irregularities in processing foreign national residence permits, namely Permanent Stay Permit Cards (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permit Cards (KITAS).

In the operation, the KPK arrested 17 individuals, including eight state officials and nine private sector individuals who acted as intermediaries in processing immigration documents.

Among the 17 individuals arrested were Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of the West Jakarta Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office; Jaya Saputra, Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, who served as Director of Residence Permits and Immigration Status from November 2024 to October 2025; and Saffar Muhammad Godam, Acting Director General of Immigration from October 2024 to April 2025.

Meanwhile, Silmy Karim surrendered to the KPK on June 3, 2026.

On June 4, 2026, Silmy Karim (SK), Saffar Muhammad Godam (SMG), Jaya Saputra (JS), Ronald Arman Abdullah (RAA), and four others were officially named suspects and detained by the KPK after appearing wearing the anti-corruption agency's orange vests.

The other four people are the Head of the Sub-Directorate at the Directorate of Residence Permits and Immigration Status, Tessar Bayu Setyaji (TBS) and Bagus Bramantyo (BGS); Head of the ITAS Status Transfer Team, Juniadi Sri Priambudi (JSP); and Staff of the Sub-Directorate of Residence Permits and Immigration Status, Gusti Benardiansyah (GST).

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Translator: Rio Feisal, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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