Silmy Karim Held as KPK Uncovers Extortion Scheme in Immigration Services
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- The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Deputy Minister Silmy Karim and seven officials over alleged extortion in immigration document processing.
- The case involves the illegal handling of KITAS and KITAP permits uncovered during a sting operation at the West Jakarta Immigration Office.
- Authorities arrested 17 individuals, including civil servants and private intermediaries, in one of KPK’s major anti-corruption operations in 2026.
Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim along with seven civil servants, following allegations of extortion linked to immigration document processing.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the suspects have been charged under Article 12(e) of the Corruption Law, which covers extortion, as well as Article 12B concerning gratuities. Both provisions fall under Law No. 31/1999 on Corruption Eradication, as amended by Law No. 20/2001.
Budi added that Silmy Karim and the seven other suspects will be held for an initial 20-day detention period as the investigation proceeds.
Among those named as suspects are former Acting Director General of Immigration Saffar Muhammad Godam, Head of the West Java Immigration Office Jaya Saputra, and Head of the Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office in West Jakarta, Ronald Arman Abdullah.
The case stems from a sting operation conducted by the KPK on June 3, 2026, at the West Jakarta Immigration Office. The operation marked the agency’s 11th sting this year.
Authorities said the case is tied to the alleged illegal processing of residency permits for foreign nationals, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS).
During operations carried out between June 2 and June 3, 2026, the KPK apprehended 17 individuals, including eight state officials or civil servants and nine private intermediaries suspected of facilitating the illicit processing of immigration documents.
Among those detained were Ronald Arman Abdullah, Jaya Saputra—who previously served as Director of Stay Permits and Immigration Status between November 2024 and October 2025—and Saffar Muhammad Godam, who held the position of Acting Director General of Immigration from October 2024 to April 2025.
Separately, Deputy Minister Silmy Karim turned himself in by reporting directly to the KPK headquarters on June 3, 2026.
On June 4, 2026, Silmy Karim, Saffar Godam, Jaya Saputra, Ronald Arman, and four other suspects were formally placed in KPK custody, appearing in the agency’s signature orange detention vests.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
