Ahead of Sentencing Hearing, Noel Ebenezer: I Have a Toothache, Feels Like Being Beaten by Inmates
Jakarta, VIVA – Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, known as Noel Ebenezer, has claimed to be suffering from a toothache ahead of the sentencing hearing in the alleged extortion case related to Occupational Health and Safety (K3) certification at the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker). Noel Ebenezer stated that the toothache has caused his face to swell, even remarking that it feels as though he had been beaten by inmates. “(It is a) toothache. This tooth, my face is swollen. It feels like being beaten by inmates,” Noel told journalists at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 18 May 2026.
It was previously reported that Immanuel Ebenezer was scheduled to undergo the reading of the prosecution’s indictment today, Monday, 18 May 2026. Noel is the defendant in the case involving alleged extortion regarding the processing of K3 certifications and licences. “We will reopen the hearing for you on Monday, 18 May 2026, with the agenda of the criminal indictment from the public prosecutor,” stated the Chairperson of the Panel of Judges, Nur Sari Baktiana, on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
In this case, Noel is accused of extorting K3 certification applicants for a total of Rp6.52 billion and receiving gratifications. The extortion was allegedly carried out alongside 10 other defendants, namely Temurila, Miki Mahfud, Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi. The K3 certification applicants allegedly extorted by the defendants include Fanny Fania Octapiani, Fransisca Xaveriana, Grhadini Lukitasari Tasya, Intan Fitria Permatasari, Muhammad Deny, Nicken Ayu Wulandari, Nur Aisyah Astuti, Octavia Voni Andari, Shalsabila Salu, and Sri Enggarwati.
In detail, the extortion was allegedly conducted to benefit the defendants being tried together: Noel allegedly gained Rp70 million; Fahrurozi Rp270.95 million; Hery, Gerry, and Sekarsari each Rp652.24 million; Subhan and Anitasari each Rp326.12 million; Bobby Rp978.35 million; and Supriadi Rp294.06 million. Furthermore, benefits were also allegedly received by Haiyani Rumondang (Rp381.28 million), Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga (Rp288.17 million), Chairul Fadhly Harahap (Rp37.94 million), Ida Rochmawati (Rp652.24 million), as well as Fitriana Bani Gunaharti and Nila Pratiwi Ichsan (each Rp326.12 million). Meanwhile, the gratification allegedly received by Noel includes funds amounting to Rp3.36 billion and one unit of a navy blue Ducati Scrambler motorcycle, provided by civil servants (ASN) of the Ministry of Manpower and other private parties during his tenure as Deputy Minister.