Central Jakarta Court Schedules First Hearing for Silmy Karim and Others on October 29

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court has scheduled the first hearing of former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Wamen Imipas) Silmy Karim and other defendants in a bribery case concerning immigration document processing on Thursday (29/10/2026).

"The indictment hearing is planned for Thursday (29/10/2026) at 10:00 AM WIB," stated Central Jakarta District Court Spokesperson Sunoto in a statement on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

The Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court has registered five cases transferred by prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) related to this matter.

Silmy Karim is noted as a defendant in case number 81/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Jkt.Pst. Meanwhile, Saffar M. Godam is registered in case number 82/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Jkt.Pst.

Additionally, Jaya Saputra is listed in case number 83/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Jkt.Pst, Ronald Arman Abdullah in case number 84/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Jkt.Pst, and Tessar Bayu Setyaji, Bagus Bramantyo, Gusti Benardiansyah, and Juniadi Sri Priambudi in case number 85/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Jkt.Pst.

Previously, the KPK detained Silmy Karim and seven officials from the Directorate General of Immigration on Thursday (4/6/2026) after designating them suspects in a bribery case concerning immigration document processing.

The other seven suspects include Acting Director General of Immigration for the 2024-2025 period Saffar Muhammad Godam; Head of the West Java Immigration Office and former Director of Residence and Immigration Status Jaya Saputra; Sub-Director of Residence Status Transfer Tessar Bayu Setyaji; Sub-Director in the Directorate of Residence Permits Bagus Bramantyo; former Head of Central Jakarta Immigration Office for the 2024-2025 period and Head of West Jakarta Immigration Office for the 2025-2026 period Ronald Arman Abdullah; Head of the ITAS Status Transfer Team Juniadi Sri Priambudi; and Staff of the Residence Permit Sub-Directorate Gusti Bernardiansyah.

In this case, Silmy and the immigration officials are accused of complicating the permit process for foreign nationals by rejecting submitted applications. Silmy, who served as the Director General of Immigration from 2023 to 2024, is alleged to have requested a share from the processing of residence permits.

This request is suspected to have been relayed through Jaya Saputra. Subsequently, Jaya instructed Tessar Bayu Setyaji and Bagus Bramantyo to extract additional fees from foreign nationals. This scheme is known by the term 'every click has a cost' for each processed residence permit application.

Meanwhile, Gusti Bernardiansyah is alleged to have used several nominee accounts to collect money from service agents and foreign nationals seeking residence permits.

During the period of 2022-2026, individuals within the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) are suspected of receiving at least IDR 145.5 billion. This money was received in cash, via transfers, or through intermediaries.

The funds were distributed to certain individuals every Friday, with Silmy Karim reported to receive a regular share of IDR 100 million per week.

To obscure the distribution of money, the parties are suspected of using special codes, including the term 'angel' to refer to funds distributed to high-ranking officials within the Directorate General of Immigration/Ministry of Imipas.

This money is alleged to have been used for personal interests, purchasing assets, and financing business activities, including establishing a towing company to disguise the receipt of funds.

For their actions, Silmy and the other seven suspects are charged with violating Article 12 letter e of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 juncto Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.