KPK Seizes Over Rp6 Billion Linked to Bali Stay-Permit Payments
Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized more than Rp6 billion (approximately US$375,000) following the questioning of three immigration officials in Bali, as part of a broad investigation into alleged corruption in the processing of stay permits for foreign nationals.
The questioning took place on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Denpasar City Police headquarters. The three officials involved were R Haryo Sakti, head of the Denpasar Immigration Office; Alberto Vicense Cianry Lake, head of the Stay Permit and Immigration Status Section; and Kadek Okta Dwi Putra, head of the Immigration Traffic and Stay Permit Section at the Singaraja Immigration Office. All three were questioned as witnesses; none has been named a suspect at this stage.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the seized funds were believed to be connected to payments received during stay-permit processing. The investigation covers alleged corruption at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections spanning 2022 to 2026.
A Wider National Case
The Bali questioning forms one thread in a much larger investigation. The KPK has already named former Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim and seven other Directorate General of Immigration officials as suspects in the case.
Earlier in the probe, investigators alleged that some visa and immigration service agencies were required to make payments beyond official state fees to ensure applications for temporary stay permits (KITAS), permanent stay permits (KITAP), and related services moved through the system without obstruction. The KPK is examining this alleged practice under Article 12(e) of Indonesia's Anti-Corruption Law, which covers extortion by public officials.
Investigators also searched the Denpasar Immigration Office and two permit-processing agencies over three days in June 2026, before the latest round of questioning.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals in Bali
For the many foreigners living or working in Bali on KITAS or KITAP permits, the investigation is a reminder that any request for payments beyond officially published fees deserves scrutiny. The KPK's focus on the gap between formal state fees and what applicants were allegedly asked to pay suggests that unofficial surcharges were embedded in routine permit workflows.
The investigation is ongoing, and no findings of guilt have been established against the officials questioned on August 28.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent accommodation operators in Bali who employ foreign staff or host long-stay guests often assist with or refer clients to immigration service agencies. This investigation is a practical prompt to review which agencies you recommend and to confirm they operate transparently, charging only fees that align with official government schedules. Recommending a reputable, above-board agent protects your guests and your own reputation. If an agency you work with was among those searched or questioned, it is worth seeking clarity before making further referrals.
The details in this post were first reported by The Bali Times.
First reported by thebalitimes.com.