Indonesia & Corruption: a few articles in the past few weeks

[pantaiema]

Riau seems to be a very profitable province when you look at past / present governors history.....

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/abdul-wahid-becomes-fourth-riau-governor-implicated-in-corruption-case

No Wonder. Riau Province is endowed with abundant natural resources, especially petroleum and natural gas, as well as rubber and palm oil. It was once the base of Caltex Pacific Indonesia, now known as Chevron, one of the world’s major oil companies.

 

[Balifrog]

Those guys are not taking small money.....

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpk-charges-tax-officials-consultant-in-rp-75-billion-mining-tax-case

 

[pantaiema]

Recent Mega Corruption cases which have not been stated in this thread. The "PertaminaGate" Scandal (2025–2026). This is currently considered the largest corruption case in Indonesian history, involving the state-owned oil and gas giant, Pertamina. It involved the illegal adulteration of subsidized fuel with non-subsidized petroleum, as well as fraudulent oil import contracts and the illegal leasing of fuel terminals. This could happen again with the current oil supply disruption.

 

[pantaiema]

This is how an Indonesian conglomerate, one of the country’s wealthiest individuals built its fortune by plundering national resources, including conducting unlicensed coal mining. It would be extremely naïve to believe such activities could continue for years without detection unless the authorities responsible for regulating and policing illegal mining were complicit or wilfully ignoring it for a reason.

Coal tycoon Samin Tan arrested due to alleged illegal mining activities

Billionaire businessman Samin Tan was arrested on Mar 28 in a corruption case linked to alleged illegal mining activities. The case is tied to broader effort...

www.youtube.com

 

[serious_fun]

It would be extremely naïve to believe such activities could continue for years without detection unless the authorities responsible for regulating and policing illegal mining were complicit or wilfully ignoring it for a reason.

Yes, the deadly poison known as corruption. Those who swear an oath to faithfully execute their job, yet sell out for a pittance.

 

[harryopal1]

Yes, the deadly poison known as corruption. Those who swear an oath to faithfully execute their job, yet sell out for a pittance.

Well, Harvey Mois was sent to gaol for 6.5 years for allowing illegal mining causing environmental and financial losses to the state, estimated by the Attorney General's Office at 300 trillion rupiah (US$18.2 billion). Mois was said to have enriched himself and his associates by approximately Rp 420 billion (US$25 million) through illegal tin mining activities. Not exactly a pittance but perhaps small beer compared to the wealth garnered by the illegal miners.

 

[serious_fun]

Not exactly a pittance but perhaps small beer compared

yes, compared with the assets stolen....001% or so?

 

[Balifrog]

Indonesia arrests chief ombudsman on bribery charges after only six days in office

Hery Susanto allegedly received 1.5 billion rupiah (S$111,160) from a nickel company. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[serious_fun]

Indonesia arrests chief ombudsman on bribery charges after only six days in office

Hery Susanto allegedly received 1.5 billion rupiah (S$111,160) from a nickel company. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Surely he's set the world record for fastest arrest on bribery charges!

 

[pantaiema]

Indonesia arrests chief ombudsman on bribery charges after only six days in office

Hery Susanto allegedly received 1.5 billion rupiah (S$111,160) from a nickel company. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

This case is serious even though the amount of money involved is relatively small compared to other large corruption scandals, mainly because of his position as the Chief Ombudsman.

An ombudsman is supposed to act as an independent and impartial authority, responsible for investigating complaints and resolving disputes between individuals and institutions. When someone in such a role becomes involved in wrongdoing, becomes a player it undermines public trust in the entire system.

It is similar to cases involving members of the judiciary. In Indonesia, there have been instances where judges, including those in the Supreme Court as well as police officers have been implicated in bribery cases, which further damages confidence in the rule of law. More importantly the number of these sort of people is not insignificant.

 

[serious_fun]

An article discussing "Graft, girlfriends and government officials: Indonesia’s other corruption problem".

 

[Balifrog]

A political dynasty rising in Indonesia’s new capital

In Indonesia's East Kalimantan, allegations of corruption and nepotism have sparked protests against one of the province’s most powerful political families. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

 

[pantaiema]

Another suspected corruption case involving immigration facility misused by Deputy Minister for Immigration (He was the Director General for Immigration) Silmy Karim and his team.
"In this case, the alleged article used is Article 12E, related to the alleged corruption crime of extortion in processing immigration documents. It is also supplemented by Article 12B, which includes other forms of acceptance or gratuities,"
This will not be a surprise considering that many immigration agent could by pass many official requirements in exchange for money.

Wamen Imipas Silmy Karim Ditahan KPK, Diborgol Pakai Rompi Oranye #shorts

Wakil Menteri Imigrasi dan Pemasyarakatan (Imipas), Silmy Karim resmi mengenakan rompi oranye tahanan Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (KPK) usai menjalani pemer...

www.youtube.com

KPK: Silmy Karim Terjerat Kasus saat Dirinya Jabat Dirjen Imigrasi

KPK mengungkap kasus korupsi yang melibatkan Silmy Karim, Wamen Imipas, terkait pemerasan dalam pengurusan dokumen keimigrasian saat menjabat Dirjen Imigrasi.

news.detik.com

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpk-raids-extend-to-bali-and-west-java-in-foreign-residency-permit-case

 

[pantaiema]

This is a more detail case from Silmy Karim Ex-Deputy minister and Director General of Immigration

Cara Peras WNA ala Silmy Karim: Rekening OB Dipakai, “Malaikat” Jadi Kode Rahasia

Baca selengkapnya: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2026/06/05/06164351/cara-peras-wna-ala-silmy-karim-rekening-ob-dipakai-malaikat-jadi-kode?utm_campaign=yo...

www.youtube.com

Here is the Key detail what what he and his group were doing:

The Scheme: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that residence permit applications for foreign nationals (WNA) were intentionally delayed or rejected to force applicants to pay extortion fees. This practice allegedly took place while Silmy Karim served as the Director General of Immigration (2023–2024).

Using Fake Accounts: To conceal the illegal money trail, the suspects avoided using their personal bank accounts. Instead, they utilized dozens of nominee accounts registered under the names of low-level staff, including office boys (OB) and cleaning service workers.

Angel Code Name: The syndicate used specific code words to conduct their operations, notably using the term "Malaikat" (Angel) as a secret code to refer to top immigration officials receiving a cut of the money.

Massive Financial Scale: The KPK estimates that the extortion ring amassed at least IDR 145.5 billion between 2022 and 2026. Out of this total, Silmy Karim himself is alleged to have received a routine weekly payout of IDR 100 million every Friday.

 

[harryopal1]

Is his name Silmy Karim or Slimy Karim?

 

[centurion]

Here is the Key detail what what he and his group were doing:

The Scheme: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that residence permit applications for foreign nationals (WNA) were intentionally delayed or rejected to force applicants to pay extortion fees. This practice allegedly took place while Silmy Karim served as the Director General of Immigration (2023–2024).

This is actually extorsion system worked from the moment of online system was introduced. Deliberately foreigners who do by themselves in person. were let in smooth so there is no noise and there is always somebody confirming that system works, anybody with agent was delayed deliberately.

Similar systems exist across other online application platforms.

 

[pantaiema]

Authorities discovered a collection of 17 vehicles at Silmy Karim's home, featuring high-end luxury cars and heavy Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

 

[harryopal1]

Authorities discovered a collection of 17 vehicles at Silmy Karim's home, featuring high-end luxury cars and heavy Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

Ohh dear. Who is going to clean and maintain his cars and motorbikes if they put him in prison. Surely compassion would lead the court to just impose home detention.