Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has searched two immigration offices in Jakarta as part of an investigation into alleged extortion linked to the processing of foreigners’ stay permits.

Investigators searched the Central Jakarta Immigration Office and South Jakarta Immigration Office on Tuesday (Aug. 4), KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Wednesday.

At the South Jakarta office, investigators seized cash amounting to S$8,500 ($6,600 or Rp118,600,000) from the office of Winarko, head of the South Jakarta Immigration Office.

“The investigators will further examine the cash’s connection to the case,” Budi said in a statement.

Investigators also seized documents and electronic evidence from both the South and Central Jakarta immigration offices. The materials will be analyzed to determine their relevance to the alleged criminal offenses and to strengthen the evidence in the case, Budi said.

The KPK is also investigating potential involvement by other parties in the alleged corruption scheme.

The searches are the latest in a widening investigation into alleged extortion in the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals within Indonesia’s immigration system.

In June, investigators searched the Class I Immigration Office in Denpasar, Bali, as well as the offices of PT Visa Empat Bali and CV Visa Agung Bali Teratai Promanende. They seized documents and electronic evidence from the locations.

The KPK has named eight people as suspects in the case, including Silmy Karim, a former deputy minister for immigration and corrections and former director general of immigration.

The other suspects are former acting director general of immigration Saffar Muhammad Godam; Stay Permit Director Jaya Saputra; sub-directors Bagus Bramantyo and Tessar Bayu Setyaji; former Central Jakarta immigration chief Ronald Arman Abdullah; ITAS status-change team head Juniadi Sri Priambudi; and immigration staff member Gusti Bernardiansyah.

All eight suspects have been detained by the KPK.

They are suspected of violating provisions of Indonesia’s anti-corruption law concerning extortion and the receipt of gratuities, in conjunction with provisions of the 2023 Criminal Code.

The KPK’s investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of Indonesia’s immigration services and allegations of improper payments involving foreign nationals and intermediaries seeking immigration permits. The agency has previously said it is tracing the flow of funds and identifying all parties potentially involved in the alleged scheme.

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