KPK Uncovers Foreigner Residence Permit Extortion Ranging from Rp100 Thousand to Rp25 Million, Bali Immigration Under Scrutiny
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed alleged extortion involving foreigner residence permits at Bali immigration, with fees ranging from Rp100 thousand to Rp25 million. The case implicates several immigration officials and is still under investigation.
UPDATEYUK.ID – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered alleged extortion practices in the processing of foreign national (WNA) stay permits within the Directorate General of Immigration. In the latest findings, the tariffs imposed are said to vary from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of rupiah.
This case is now in the public spotlight after the KPK's investigation also implicated several immigration officials and former officials, including Silmy Karim, who previously served within the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Facilities.
Extortion Tariffs Reach Tens of Millions for Foreign National Permit Processing
Based on the KPK's investigation results, this alleged extortion practice occurred during the processing of immigration documents such as KITAS and KITAP in several immigration offices, including in Bali.
The amount of fees requested from service bureaus or applicants is said to be inconsistent. In one application, the tariff could range from Rp100,000 to Rp25 million, depending on the type of service and the process applied for.
“The deposits given vary in nominal value. Some are valued at Rp100,000 to Rp2.5 million for each document application process, whether it's for KITAS (limited stay permit card), KITAP (permanent stay permit card), or other immigration documents,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK's Red and White Building, Jakarta.
The KPK stated that this practice was discovered after examining several witnesses in the Bali region related to the processing of foreign national stay permits.
Modus Operandi Allegedly Involves "Click Money" in Administrative Processes
During the investigation, the KPK also uncovered an alleged "click money" modus operandi, which is the practice of giving money to ensure that the application process is not complicated or can be processed quickly.
According to the KPK, if service bureaus do not meet certain demands, the administrative process can be delayed or even not processed at all.
This makes the practice considered systematic as it targets document processing channels that directly intersect with public services for foreigners.
KPK Investigates Fund Flows and Roles of Immigration Officials
The KPK is currently tracing the flow of funds from this alleged extortion practice. In this case, the anti-graft agency has questioned several parties, including civil servants, immigration officials, and private individuals acting as intermediaries.
Silmy Karim's name was also implicated in the investigation because he is allegedly connected to the policy flow and distribution of money within the system during a certain period.
In the development of the case, the KPK has also named several suspects and secured various pieces of evidence, including fund flows amounting to hundreds of billions of rupiah during the period 2022–2026.
Read Also: Palace Begins Investigating Allegations of Students Receiving Money After Meeting Gibran
KPK Tightens Supervision of Immigration Services
This case is a serious concern as it involves public services directly related to foreign nationals in Indonesia. The KPK emphasizes that it will continue to tighten supervision of the immigration service system to prevent abuse of authority.
In addition, the KPK also ensures that legal proceedings will continue to uncover the parties involved in the alleged extortion practices. (*)
