Indonesian Deputy Minister Allegedly Received $100 Million Weekly for Foreigner Permit Scheme

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered allegations that Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights, Silmy Karim, received a weekly sum of approximately 100 million rupiah. This alleged payment is connected to a corruption case involving the processing of residency permits for foreign nationals within the Directorate General of Immigration.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budi stated that Silmy Karim, while serving as Director General of Immigration from 2023 to 2024, is suspected of extortion by demanding a share from the permit processing fees. The commission estimates that between 2022 and 2026, parties within the Directorate General of Immigration collected at least 145.5 billion rupiah. These funds were allegedly distributed weekly, with Silmy Karim receiving a regular share of 100 million rupiah each Friday.

To conceal the distribution of these illicit funds, officials allegedly used nominee accounts as 'collection accounts' for fees from service providers or foreign nationals. The KPK revealed that special distribution codes were employed, such as the term 'malaikat' (angel) to signify payments to high-ranking officials. Other codes included references to concert band payments, with roles like 'vocalist,' 'guitarist,' 'backing vocal,' and 'choreographer' representing the flow of money to specific individuals.

This revelation follows the KPK's designation of Silmy Karim as a suspect in the extortion and gratuity case. Several other officials have also been named suspects, including former Acting Director General of Immigration Saffar Muhammad Godam, and various heads of immigration offices and sub-directorate officials. The investigation stems from a sting operation conducted in West Jakarta from June 2-3, 2026, during which the KPK seized multiple vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, foreign currencies, and gold.