Christmas Protocol Officer Tears Up in Court: I Just Wanted to Help Dad

Former protocol officer to the ex-Deputy Minister of Manpower, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (Noel), Syamazzka Zakirni, broke down in tears while serving as a witness in the alleged extortion case involving K3 certification processing. Azzka claimed he only wanted to help Noel, thus agreeing to testify in court.

This was stated by Azzka during his testimony at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday (29/4/2026). Azzka was presented as a witness by Noel.

“Do you know me, witness?” asked Noel.

“Yes, Sir,” replied Azzka.

“Witness, are you under any pressure today?” asked Noel.

“No, I just want to help you, Sir,” replied Azzka while crying.

Azzka claimed he was never ordered by Noel to engage in corruption. He stated that Noel never instructed Ministry of Manpower employees to engage in extortion practices.

“During my tenure, did I engage in corrupt practices?” asked Noel.

“No, never. I never knew about it and never at all,” replied Azzka.

“Did I ever order corruption?” asked Noel.

“No, Sir always forbade us from accepting such things,” replied Azzka.

“Did I ever order colleagues at the Ministry of Manpower to extort?” asked Noel.

“No,” replied Azzka.

Azzka stated that Noel also never used business class flight facilities at the Ministry of Manpower. He described Noel as an enemy to the entrepreneurs he inspected.

“Because I remember warning you, witness, that at the Ministry of Manpower, there are facilities for the Deputy Minister to fly business class. Did I ever use that facility?” asked Noel.

“Never, Sir never flew business class,” replied Azzka.

“Second, did you ever see an entrepreneur who got angry at my actions to the point that this entrepreneur banned me from boarding his fleet?” asked Noel.

“Yes,” replied Azzka.

“So I was indeed the common enemy of the entrepreneurs I inspected during that time. Because as a state official, we must be able to interpret what the state is like. Not through inspections, but through regulations. Did my actions include issuing circulars, for example, on the practice of withholding diplomas?” asked Noel.

“Yes,” replied Azzka.

Noel asked if he had ever advocated for jobs for laid-off workers. Azzka said Noel had done so for Sritex workers.

“What you saw, witness, besides the practice of withholding diplomas full of extortion, where workers were extorted. For manual labourers, it was Rp 5 million to Rp 10 million; for flight attendants, Rp 40 million, that was Lion. Then for healthcare workers, doctors, and so on, they were extorted Rp 150 million to Rp 300 million. Besides that, did you ever hear that hundreds of laid-off workers were re-employed by me?” asked Noel.

“When you advocated for Sritex,” replied Azzka.

“Actually, many of my policies almost all benefited the people, especially workers. Not just manual labourers, not professional workers, nor medical personnel. Then, did you ever hear about my policy on prohibiting entrepreneurs from limiting the age of job seekers?” asked Noel.

“Yes,” replied Azzka.

“Because for decades, this criminal practice—crime between the state and entrepreneurs, which I consider a crime—limited job seekers to 35 years old. Then I came and issued a circular prohibiting that practice, didn’t I?” asked Noel.

“Yes, you issued it,” replied Azzka.

Noel also asked about inspections on extortion related to outsourcing. Azzka said Noel had once helped workers with his personal money.

“I also inspected what is called outsourcing. Outsourcing that also extorted workers, which I eventually closed and did not grant permission. Did you hear about that too?” asked Noel.

“Yes, I know,” replied Azzka.

“Then I helped those workers because they were extorted by their employer, using money from my own pocket. Did I reimburse all that?” asked Noel.

“No,” replied Azzka.

Azzka said Noel also used his personal money for private and family activities. Noel expressed thanks to Azzka for agreeing to testify in court today.

“Did my activities—private activities, family activities—always use ministry funds?” asked Noel.

“Never,” replied Azzka.

“Then did you also hear about the internships I inspected, which turned out to have wild and cruel internship practices? Workers were forced to intern so their wages would be below the minimum wage? Did you hear about that too?” asked Noel.

“Yes, I did,” replied Azzka.

“Because workers interned for up to 9 years but their wages were below the UMR. Then did I issue a policy prohibiting annual internships?” asked Noel.

“Yes,” replied Azzka.

“Thank you, witness whom I respect. You are full of blessings, and your children are full of blessings. God bless Azzka and his family. Thank you, Your Honour,” Noel concluded.

Noel’s Indictment

KPK prosecutors indicted Noel for extortion in K3 certification processing along with several Ministry of Manpower civil servants. Prosecutors stated that Noel demanded a share of Rp 3 billion.

Prosecutors stated that the act was committed by Noel together with the other defendants, namely Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, Supriadi, Miki Mahfud, and Termurila. The trial was held in a separate file at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (19/1).

“They acted unlawfully or abused their authority related to the Issuance and Renewal of Individual Occupational Safety and Health (K3) Certification/Licences for certification/licence applicants,” reads Noel’s indictment.

In the indictment, prosecutors stated that the defendants forced K3 certification and licence applicants to give a total of Rp 6,522,360,000 (Rp 6.5 billion). This case occurred since 2021 or before Noel served as Deputy Minister of Manpower.

In short, the extortion was carried out. Noel is also indicted for receiving gratification amounting to Rp 3.3