KPK: Deputy Minister of Immigration Asked His Share

KPK: Deputy Immigration Minister Suspected in Extortion Scandal

KPK – TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Silmy Karim, the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections, reached the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters on the night of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, after a lengthy and unclear process. The following day, the KPK disclosed that Silmy and seven other immigration officials were under investigation for alleged corruption involving foreign nationals. The accusations center on Silmy reportedly receiving Rp100 million weekly from 2023, when he assumed the role of Director-General of Immigration, through 2026.

Corruption Tied to Foreign Worker Employment Plan

The KPK identified Silmy’s involvement while examining the Ministry of Manpower’s foreign worker employment plan (RPTKA) case. Acting Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein explained that the suspects were accused of extorting money through service agencies that handled visa, passport, and work permit applications for foreign nationals. The interview excerpts below were taken from Taufik’s conversation with Tempo reporters Febriyan, Riani Sanusi Putri, and Ade Ridwan at the KPK’s Red-and-White Building in South Jakarta on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

“The RPTKA case revealed overlapping procedures with immigration processes, especially in the approval of stay permits for foreign nationals. We found clear evidence of bribery within the Immigration Directorate,” Taufik stated.

“Stay permit applications are submitted online, but service agencies assist in preparing the documents and uploading them. The final approval still requires a manual click in the system, which was allegedly controlled by SK (Silmy Karim). This was called ‘approval-click money.’ Without that digital authorization, applications would be delayed,” Taufik added.

For more details, refer to the full story in Tempo English Magazine.