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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian anti-graft agency seizes documents, electronics in Bali immigration probe

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized electronic evidence and documents from the Denpasar Immigration Office in Bali.
  • Similar evidence was also confiscated from two private companies, PT Visa Empat Bali and CV Visa Agung Bali Teratai Promenade.
  • The seizures are part of an investigation into alleged extortion related to foreign resident permit processing, with KPK having previously arrested 17 individuals in a sting operation.

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized electronic goods and documents from the Denpasar Immigration Office in Bali as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged extortion. The searches, conducted between June 17-19, 2026, also targeted two private companies: PT Visa Empat Bali and CV Visa Agung Bali Teratai Promenade.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the confiscated evidence will be analyzed to shed light on the case. The investigation is linked to alleged extortion and gratification in the processing of foreign resident permits. The KPK has been actively pursuing this case, having previously conducted a sting operation (OTT) on June 2-3, 2026, which led to the arrest of 17 individuals.

These 17 individuals included eight state officials or civil servants and nine private sector employees suspected of acting as intermediaries for immigration document processing. Following the sting operation, the KPK named eight suspects, including former and current high-ranking immigration officials. Among them are Silmy Karim, Director General of Immigration for 2023-2024, and Saffar Muhammad Godam, Acting Director General for 2024-2025.

The evidence seized will be analyzed by investigators to bring this case to light.

— Budi PrasetyoKPK Spokesperson, commenting on the seized evidence from the immigration office and related companies.

Other suspects include Jaya Saputra, Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration; Ronald Arman Abdullah, Head of the Special Non-TPI Class I Immigration Office in West Jakarta; and several officials from the Directorate of Residence Permits and Immigration Status. The alleged illicit gains from this corruption scheme are estimated to be Rp 145.5 billion.

Silmy Karim, the former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Penitentiary for 2024-2026, voluntarily surrendered to the KPK on June 3, 2026. He was subsequently questioned on June 19 regarding allegations of receiving funds from extortion and gratuities, and the origin of seized assets. The KPK has described this as its 11th sting operation of 2026, indicating a sustained effort to combat corruption within the immigration system.

The examination material is related to the alleged receipt by SK [Silmy Karim] from extortion and gratification, and confirmation regarding the origin of the assets that have been seized.

— Budi PrasetyoDescribing the focus of the investigation into former Deputy Minister Silmy Karim.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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