JAKARTA: Mixed-marriage families said a corruption investigation into former deputy immigration minister Silmy Karim had renewed hopes for long-overdue improvements to Indonesia’s immigration system and the processing of residence permits for their foreign spouses and children.
In a recent interview with The Jakarta Post, Indonesian Mixed-Marriage Society (Perca) chair Rulita Anggraini said families in the group had for decades faced a maze of unclear procedures, inconsistent requirements and user-unfriendly digital forms when applying for immigration permits.
These conditions, she said, often culminated in requests for additional payments to expedite or complete applications.
“So we were shocked, but not shocked, when the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK] made the arrests earlier this month,” Rulita said.
“We were not surprised by what the arrests revealed, because corrupt practices within the system have long been an open secret in our community. What surprised us was the extent to which it was exposed,” she added.
Investigation by the KPK is underway into the alleged extortion scheme involving the systemic collection of illicit fees from foreign nationals seeking to process residence permits in Indonesia.
Investigators have arrested eight immigration officials as suspects, ranging from regional office heads to senior officials at the ministry and Silmy, the highest-ranking figure implicated in the case.
According to the KPK, the suspects racked up a total of Rp 145.5 billion (US$8.1 million) since 2022, distributed every Friday through concealed transactions using special codes.
Citing her own experiences, as well as those from members of her community, Rulita of Perca said the collection of additional fees outside of official costs was commonplace for foreigners seeking to obtain or renew residence permits.
The practice, she said, often begins with private visa agents who charge service fees to assist with the application process. While acknowledging that private service fees are legal, Rulita said the application process is often so cumbersome and beset by bureaucratic obstacles that many who have attempted to navigate the system on their own give up before completing the process.
Additionally, she said, applications sent through private visa agencies had a much higher chance of being approved, while independent applications often stalled without explanation.
“There are no problems at all with using agents as long as they are optional and meant for convenience, not approval,” Rulita said. Earlier this month, the KPK said its investigators were examining indications of possible collusion between ministry officials and private agencies in the alleged extortion scheme, with preliminary findings showing that applicants submitted through certain agencies appeared to receive preferential treatment.
On Wednesday, the KPK questioned six representatives of private visa agencies in Denpasar, Bali, a day after raiding several agency offices on the island and seizing evidence related to the case.
Even when applicants went through visa agents, Rulita said, they frequently encountered opaque procedures and shifting requirements from both agents and immigration officials, with alleged deficiencies in their applications often disappearing once they paid an additional “expediting” fee.
But even after securing the necessary permits, foreigners often remain vulnerable during inspections, during which immigration officers can challenge their employment status or business activities, she said.
Perca repeatedly urged immigration authorities to issue clear guidelines on supervision and enforcement procedures, but members continued to face inconsistent interpretations by officers.
“Officials would cite alleged violations of procedures or requirements, leaving applicants panicked and unsure of what to do. These moments are stressful and threatening, since it can mean deportation,” she said, adding that many will opt for paying additional fees to resolve the issue.
Asked about the amounts foreigners typically pay to navigate unexpected or unexplained hurdles in the immigration process, Rulita said the costs range from legitimate agency service fees to what she described as exorbitant charges.
While such experiences have become somewhat normalised in her community, Rulita said the KPK investigation had renewed hopes for clearer, more transparent immigration procedures that applicants can navigate independently.
“We see this as a positive development as it presents an opportunity to reform the immigration system. We hope this can serve as a turning point for the institution to demonstrate a genuine commitment to rebuilding trust and credibility,” she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
