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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

KPK Arrests 17 in Immigration Office Sting Over Foreigner Permit Scheme

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested 17 people, including the Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office, in a sting operation.
  • The operation, which began on June 2, 2026, is linked to the alleged arrangement of residence permits (KITAS and KITAP) for foreign nationals.
  • KPK seized seven cars, 15 motorcycles, 11 bicycles, gold bullion, and cash in US and Singapore dollars during raids in Jakarta, Bali, and West Java.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has apprehended 17 individuals, including the Head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office, Ronald Arman Abdullah, in a significant sting operation targeting the alleged arrangement of residence permits for foreigners. The operation commenced on Tuesday night, June 2, 2026.

KPK Vice Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the operation, stating, "Yes, there was a sting operation at the West Jakarta Immigration Office." Among those arrested are eight state officials and civil servants, alongside nine individuals from the private sector. The KPK has a 24-hour period to interrogate all detainees and determine their legal status. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo indicated that the case is specifically related to the alleged facilitation of Limited Stay Permit Cards (KITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit Cards (KITAP).

Yes, there was a sting operation at the West Jakarta Immigration Office.

— Fitroh RohcahyantoKPK Vice Chairman confirming the sting operation to reporters.

During the covert operation, KPK investigators confiscated substantial assets, including seven cars, 15 motorcycles, and 11 bicycles, some of which were high-end models like Bromptons. Additionally, investigators seized several grams of gold bullion and significant amounts of cash in US and Singapore dollars. The KPK suspects this money is directly linked to the illicit document arrangement scheme. The investigation is not confined to Jakarta, as KPK teams also conducted operations in Bali and West Java, suggesting a broader network involved in manipulating immigration documents.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto elaborated that the operation targets the arrangement of immigration documents to enable foreigners to reside in Indonesia. However, the commission has not yet specified whether the case involves bribery or extortion. The seized funds are currently being tallied, with some held in accounts, making the exact total amount difficult to ascertain immediately. The KPK is continuing its efforts to uncover the full extent of this alleged corruption.

For the seized money, we will reconfirm the amount as some are in foreign exchange and some are in accounts.

— Budi PrasetyoKPK spokesperson discussing the ongoing process of counting seized funds.
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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