KPK Investigates Silmy Karim as a Suspect in the Case of Extortion of Foreigner's Residence Permit

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined the former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Silmy Karim today. He was questioned as a suspect in alleged extortion of residence permits for foreign nationals (WNA) that ensnared him.

"Yes, today investigators examined the suspect SK in the continuation of the investigation into the alleged extortion of immigration documents for foreigners," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in his statement, Friday, June 19.

Silmy was brought from the KPK Detention Center to the KPK Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, Jakarta Persada at 12.39 WIB.

Silmy appeared to be wearing an orange KPK prisoner vest and his hands were handcuffed. He was silent when he was escorted to the examination room.

Returning to Budi, he said that there were a number of in-depth investigations conducted by investigators. Including strengthening the evidence of the alleged acts committed by the suspects in this case.

"The examination of SK is certainly to delve into the evidence of alleged acts against the law committed by the suspect as in the element of article 12e, as well as related to other receipts or gratuities," he said.

The KPK previously named eight suspects from a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) related to the residence permits of foreign nationals (WNA) in the environment of the Ministry of Immigration and Correction on Wednesday, June 3. The details are as follows:

1. Wamen Imipas 2025-2026 who is also Director General (Dirjen) Imipas 2023-2024 Silmy Karim; 2. Acting Director General of Immigration 2024-2025 Saffar Muhammad Godam; 3. Head of the Regional Office (Kakanwil) of the Directorate General of Immigration West Java who previously served as Director of Residence Permits and Immigration Status of the Immigration Directorate Jaya Saputra; 4. Sub-Directorate of Residence Permit Status in the Directorate of Residence Permits and Immigration Status of the Immigration Directorate Tessar Bayu Setyaji; 5. Sub-Directorate in the Directorate of Residence Permits Bagus Bramantyo; 6. Head of the Central Jakarta Immigration Office 2024-2025 and Head of the Class I Immigration Office for Non-TPI West Jakarta 2025-2026 Ronald Arman Abdullah; 7. Chairman of the ITAS Status Transfer Team Juniadi Sri Priambudi; and 8. Staff of the Residence Permit Sub-Directorate Gusti Benardiansyah.

During the silent operation, the KPK team seized evidence worth Rp. 17.5 billion. The details are 7 units of cars, 15 units of motorcycles, 11 units of bicycles, balances in bank accounts and crypto asset accounts, as well as a number of foreign currencies.

Then, the KPK also seized several units of bicycles; 4 large motor units, three of which are Harley-Davidson; 2 red and silver Porsche 911 cars; and 5 vespa matic motorcycles from Silmy Karim's house in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta on Friday, June 5. All of these items were taken to the State Seized Property Storage House (Rupbasan) Cawang, East Jakarta.

Silmy is said to have received money from the extortion of the management of residence permits for foreign nationals (WNA) since the Director General of Immigration for the period 2023-2024. He even continued to receive it even though he had been sworn in as Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas).

The receipt made by Silmy was worth Rp. 100 million per week. As a result of his actions, he and seven other suspects were suspected of violating Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption Crimes as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication of Corruption Crimes Jo. Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.