Seventeen people have been arrested in a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi or KPK) linked to the alleged illicit processing of KITAS and KITAP permits, with investigators expanding the probe to Bali and West Java.
The Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Silmy Karim, was officially detained by KPK after appearing in an orange detention vest. He was accompanied by former Acting Director General of Immigration Saffar Muhammad Godam, Head of the West Java Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration Jaya Saputra, Head of the West Jakarta Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office Ronald Arman Abdullah, and four other individuals, all of whom were also wearing orange KPK vests. They are suspected of involvement in an alleged corruption case within the Directorate General of Immigration and of acting as intermediaries in the processing of immigration documents.
Earlier, on the 2nd to the 3rd of June, 2026, KPK confirmed that it had carried out a sting operation (Operasi Tangkap Tangan or OTT) at the West Jakarta Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office. The operation was reportedly linked to the alleged processing of residence permits for foreign nationals, specifically Permanent Stay Permits (KITAP) and Limited Stay Permits (KITAS). This marks KPK’s eleventh sting operation of 2026.
During the operation, KPK arrested 17 individuals, including eight state officials or civil servants and nine private individuals. Those arrested included the individuals mentioned above. Karim was also among those being sought by KPK before eventually surrendering on Wednesday, the 3rd of June, at 10.32 PM local time.
In addition to the detainees, KPK seized at least seven cars, 15 motorcycles, and 11 bicycles, along with a quantity of foreign currency, including Singapore dollars and US dollars, as well as gold bullion. All of the evidence has since been secured by the anti-corruption agency.
“Dozens of people were arrested during this series of sting operations. The evidence seized included cars, motorcycles, cash, foreign currency in US dollars and Singapore dollars, as well as gold bullion,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo.
According to Prasetyo, investigators are still calculating the total value of the funds seized, as a portion of the money is held in bank accounts while some is in foreign currency. He explained that the exact amount has yet to be confirmed due to the need to verify both the foreign exchange holdings and the funds stored in accounts.
“For the seized money, we will reconfirm the amount as some are in foreign exchange and some are in accounts,” he explained.
Furthermore, Prasetyo added that KPK is continuing the operation in Bali and West Java. The investigators suspect that the practice of arranging immigration documents is not limited to one location.
“This is still related to the immigration process. Usually, these processes occur at several points,” he said.