Indonesia's KPK probes immigration permit extortion scandal

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a raid on the Denpasar Immigration Office on 5 June 2026, continuing its investigation into an alleged extortion scheme involving the issuance of limited and permanent stay permits (KITAS and KITAP) for foreign nationals. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed the search, saying, "Benar, hari ini penyidik melakukan penggeledahan di Kantor Imigrasi Denpasar." The probe follows a 2–3 June operation that seized eight civil servants and nine private intermediaries, including former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Prison Administration Silmy Karim and several senior immigration officials. Prosecutors allege the suspects profited about Rp145.5 billion from the scheme.

On 17 June 2026 the KPK scheduled the interrogation of 11 witnesses at its Jakarta headquarters to deepen the inquiry into the alleged extortion covering the 2022‑2026 period. As Budi Prasetyo explained, "KPK menjadwalkan pemeriksaan saksi dugaan pemerasan terkait pengurusan izin tinggal warga negara asing di Ditjen Imigrasi tahun 2022‑2026," the witnesses include private-sector staff and eight civil servants from the Jakarta West Immigration Office who held key positions in the immigration department.

The investigations target both the mechanisms used to obtain illicit fees and the officials who allegedly facilitated the corruption.