Special Code in the Silmy Karim Case Revealed by the KPK

Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Silmy Karim (left) walks wearing a prisoner's vest and handcuffed hands after undergoing an examination at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, Thursday, June 4. (Antara - Dhemas Reviyanto - agr)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that there were codes to disguise the distribution of money from extortion in the management of residence permits for foreign nationals at the Directorate General of Immigration which ensnared Deputy Minister of Immigration and Correction Silmy Karim, such as angels to band or music groups.

"To disguise the distribution of money to the parties, those in charge of distributing it use special distribution codes, such as using the term angel," said KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, Thursday.

Setyo explained that the angel code means that the distribution is specifically intended for high-ranking officials in the directorate to the ministry.

"Other codes, yes, there are several parties who get a share, this uses the term group band concert payment. Some say the vocalist can get so much, the guitarist can get so much, the backing vocals can get so much, up to the choreographer," he said.

According to him, each music group code indicates a different amount of money.

Previously, the KPK initially on June 3, 2026, confirmed that it had carried out a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) in the environment of the West Jakarta Special Class I Immigration Office. The OTT is known to be the 11th during 2026.

In addition, the OTT is related to the alleged management of residence permits for foreign nationals, namely the Permanent Residence Permit (KITAP) and the Limited Residence Permit (KITAS).

In the operation carried out during 2-3 June 2026, the KPK arrested 17 people consisting of eight state organizers or state civil servants, as well as nine private parties who played a role as intermediaries in handling immigration documents.

Some of the 17 people are the Head of the West Jakarta Special Class I Immigration Office, Ronald Arman Abdullah, the Head of the West Java Immigration Directorate General Office, Jaya Saputra, who had served as the Director of Residence Permits and Immigration Status for the period November 2024-October 2025, to the Acting Director General of Immigration for the period October 2024-April 2025, Saffar Muhammad Godam.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim surrendered by visiting 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 other people officially became suspects and KPK detainees after appearing wearing the anti-corruption agency's orange vests.

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