Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Agency Seizes S$8,500 from Immigration Office in Widening Foreign Visa Extortion Probe

On August 4, Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) searched the South Jakarta Class I Special Non-TPI Immigration Office and the Central Jakarta Class I Non-TPI Immigration Office as part of an investigation into alleged extortion related to foreign nationals' (WNA) stay permit processing and bribery within the Directorate General of Immigration.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said investigators seized cash equivalent to S$8,500 from the office of South Jakarta Immigration Office chief Winarko, which will be examined for its connection to the case. Documents and electronic evidence were also seized from the Central Jakarta office.

The case concerns alleged extortion and bribery linked to the processing of foreign residents' stay permits within the Directorate General of Immigration during the 2022–2026 period. Earlier searches were also conducted in Bali, including at a visa agency office, the Denpasar Class I TPI Immigration Office, PT Visa Empat Bali, and CV Visa Agung Bali Teratai Promanende, where documents and electronic evidence were seized.

KPK has already named eight suspects, including former Deputy Minister of Immigration Silmy Karim, and all have been detained. The case came to light through a sting operation (OTT) conducted on June 2–3, 2026, during which 18 people were secured, including Silmy Karim, who turned himself in. Evidence seized in the operation is valued at roughly Rp17.5 billion, including seven vehicles, 15 motorcycles, 11 bicycles, bank account funds, crypto assets, and foreign currencies.