Jakarta \u2014 Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, also\nknown as Noel, has mocked the disparity in sentencing in a case\ninvolving alleged corruption in the processing of K3 certification\n(Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja). Noel argued that the five-year prison\nterm facing him was not proportionate to other corruption cases whose\nlosses were far larger, and he suggested that perhaps he should have\nbeen allowed to commit corruption on a larger scale.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter to corrupt as much as possible; it\u2019s only a year\u2019s difference\ncompared with those with lower losses,\u201d Noel said after the indictment\nhearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (18 May 2026).\n\u201cImagine that. The person who corrupts Rp 75 billion gets only six\nyears. Me, accused of Rp 3 billion, is charged five years. If that\u2019s the\ncase, should I be remorseful? I am remorseful,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Noel admitted that a prison sentence of several years\nremains heavy for anyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, whether four years or five years, even if you are punished\nfor just three days, you feel like you\u2019re in hell,\u201d he said. \u201cIn other\nwords, I\u2019m puzzled by policies that benefit the people, and I also\nfollow the president\u2019s direction not to let the state suffer losses; I\ndid not steal one rupiah of the people\u2019s money, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noel also rejected the extortion allegations levelled at him. He\nargued that the charges of extortion were not proven at the trial.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors say Noel was sentenced to five years in prison and a Rp\n250 million fine after being found guilty of extortion in relation to\nthe OSH (K3) certification case at the Ministry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
\u201cSentencing the accused Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan to five years\u2019\nimprisonment,\u201d the prosecutor told the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on\nMonday (18 May 2026).<\/p>\n
According to the prosecutors, Noel received a total of Rp 4.435\nbillion in the case, comprising Rp 1 billion in bribes and Rp 3.435\nbillion in gratification.<\/p>\n
Beyond the money, Noel is said to have received luxury goods\nincluding a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle. \u201cAs well as a Ducati Scrambler\nmotorcycle with plate B 4225 SUQ from Bobby Mahendro valued at Rp 600\nmillion,\u201d the prosecutors added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe replacement money charged to the defendant, Immanuel Ebenezer\nGerungan, amounts to Rp 1.435 billion,\u201d the prosecutors said. If the\nreplacement sum is not paid, Noel faces an additional two years\u2019\nimprisonment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/facing-a-five-year-sentence-noel-says-hed-prefer-to-embezzle-as-much-as-possible-1779546329", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }