Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Friday searched the Immigration Office in Bali as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged corruption scheme involving the processing of residence permits for foreign nationals.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that investigators carried out a search at the Denpasar Immigration Office in connection with a case involving alleged extortion and bribery tied to immigration documents.

"It is true that, as part of the continuing investigation into alleged extortion related to immigration document processing for foreign nationals, investigators today conducted a search at the Denpasar Immigration Office," Budi said in a statement.

He said KPK investigators remained on site in Bali and that the search was still underway.

"We will provide further updates as the operation progresses," he said.

The investigation stems from an alleged extortion scheme that authorities say operated between 2022 and 2026, spanning the period when the Directorate General of Immigration was under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and after its transfer to the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections.

The anti-graft agency has named eight suspects in the case, including former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim.

According to KPK investigators, Silmy allegedly received Rp 100 million ($5,625) per week from proceeds generated by the scheme. Prosecutors allege he benefited from the payments both during his tenure as Director General of Immigration and later as deputy minister.

Other suspects include Ronald Arman Abdullah, head of the West Jakarta Immigration Office; Jaya Saputra, who previously served as Director of Residence Permits and Immigration Status; and Saffar Muhammad Godam, who served as acting immigration chief between October 2024 and April 2025.

KPK estimates that the suspects collectively obtained approximately Rp 145.5 billion through the alleged scheme.

Investigators allege officials deliberately delayed or rejected applications submitted by foreign nationals seeking residence permits and other immigration services. Applicants were then allegedly asked to make additional payments to ensure their applications could proceed.

The alleged practice is believed to have occurred both at regional immigration offices and within the Directorate General of Immigration itself.

KPK said the extortion scheme affected multiple stages of immigration services, including residence permit extensions, changes in immigration status, updates to domicile information, and applications involving dependent family members.