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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesia Ends Fast-Track Visas for Foreigners Amid Corruption Probe

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Immigration, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated that fast-track processing for limited and permanent stay permits for foreigners is no longer available.
  • This move aims to improve immigration services and eliminate past practices of expedited processing for a fee.
  • The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating alleged extortion amounting to Rp 145.5 billion related to these permits.

Indonesia will no longer offer expedited processing for limited and permanent stay permits for foreigners, according to Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Immigration Yusril Ihza Mahendra. He confirmed that Immigration and Correctional Minister Agus Andrianto has implemented reforms since taking office to improve immigration services.

Steps to rectify the situation have actually been taken since the new cabinet was formed, since the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections was formed and since Mr. Prabowo Subianto took office as President.

— Yusril Ihza MahendraExplaining the reforms implemented in the immigration sector.

Mahendra acknowledged that in the past, immigration officials engaged in practices that allowed for faster acquisition of stay permits, particularly for foreign workers in Indonesia. The process, which typically takes four to five days and involves coordination with the Ministry of Manpower, could be shortened to one to three days through special payments. These payments, however, were not remitted to state coffers, constituting extortion or gratuity.

So, any excess costs (additional costs) from what has been budgeted by the state are fully borne by President Prabowo personally.

— Teddy Indra WijayaClarifying the funding of President Prabowo's foreign trips.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating allegations of extortion totaling at least Rp 145.5 billion. The investigation reportedly involves former Director General of Immigration Silmy Karim and other immigration officials, with the alleged practices occurring between 2022 and 2026. KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto stated that the funds were obtained from foreigners or service bureaus.

The cost of a head of state's visit abroad is large, even very large.

— Dino Patti DjalalCommenting on the expenses associated with presidential foreign travel.

Mahendra emphasized that under the current administration, all permit applications will follow the normal procedure, taking four to five days for processing, with all payments correctly deposited into state accounts. The reforms aim to ensure a more transparent and efficient immigration system for foreigners seeking to live and work in Indonesia.

At least the value or nominal amount is Rp 145.5 billion.

— Setyo BudiyantoStating the total amount allegedly extorted in immigration corruption cases.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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