Drama as Noel and Others Refuse to Testify for Fellow Defendants
Drama unfolded in the continuation of the trial for the extortion case involving occupational safety and health (K3) certificates, with defendant former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (Noel). Out of a total of 11 defendants, they split into two groups regarding their willingness to serve as witnesses in the trial.
As summarised by detikcom on Tuesday (21/4/2026), the continuation hearing took place on Monday (20/4) at the Jakarta Corruption Court (PN Tipikor). Noel and four other defendants stated they refused to testify for the other defendants. Meanwhile, six other defendants were willing to serve as witnesses.
The six defendants who stated they were willing to become witnesses in the case were Subhan, Bobby, Sekarsari, Anitasari, Supriadi, and Miki Mahfud. Meanwhile, the other five defendants, including Noel, expressed objections and withdrew as witnesses.
“Are these defendants willing to become witnesses? Defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, what about you?” asked the chief judge Nur Sari Baktiana.
“Permission, Your Honour, I am not willing, Your Honour,” replied Noel.
The judge asked the six defendants who were willing to become witnesses to take an oath. Those defendants stated they were willing to be sworn in.
“Those who are willing to become witnesses earlier, Mr Subhan, Mr Bobby, Sekarsari, Anita, Mr Supriadi, and Mr Miki are willing to become witnesses. Are you who are willing to become witnesses willing for your statements to be taken under oath?” asked the judge.
The judge stated that the examination of the case as witnesses refers to the mechanism in the provisions of Articles 218 and 219 of the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). The prosecutor stated that they respect the decision of the five defendants who refused to become witnesses in the case.
“Regarding witnesses who do not want to become witnesses, we certainly respect each opinion. Secondly, regarding witnesses who wish to become witnesses and are willing to be sworn in, namely Subhan, Irvian Bobby, Sekar, Anita, Supriadi, and Miki, we approve them becoming witnesses and having their statements taken under oath,” said the prosecutor.
The defendants in this case include:
Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer or Noel
Fahrurozi, Director General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3 in March 2025
Hery Sutanto as Director of Institutional Development from 2021 to February 2025
Subhan as Sub-Coordinator of Occupational Safety in the K3 Directorate from 2020-2025
Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra as Coordinator of the Field of Testing and Evaluation of Occupational Safety Competency from 2022
Irvian Bobby Mahendro as Coordinator of the Field of Institutions and K3 Personnel from 2022-2025
Sekarsari Kartika Putri as Sub-Coordinator of K3 Institutional Development in the Directorate General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3
Anitasari Kusumawati as Sub-Coordinator of Partnerships and Occupational Health Personnel from 2020
Supriadi as Junior Expert Manpower Supervisor as Sub-Coordinator of K3 Personnel Empowerment in the Directorate General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3
Miki Mahfud as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia
Temurila as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia.
Testimony from Bobby ‘Sultan’ of Manpower
Irvian Bobby Mahendro, known as the ‘sultan’ of Manpower, became one of the defendants willing to testify for other defendants in the continuation hearing of the K3 extortion case. The prosecutor grilled Bobby about the origin of his nickname ‘sultan’.
Bobby testified for defendant Noel, Fahrurozi as Director General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3 in March 2025, Miki Mahfud as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia, and Temurila as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia. Bobby claimed the nickname ‘sultan’ was given by Noel.
“Regarding the term sultan of Manpower, who actually gave you that term?” asked the prosecutor.
“I only found out after reading the examination record (BAP) from brother Immanuel. Brother Immanuel said that I am the sultan of Manpower,” replied Bobby.
“From defendant Immanuel who stated that you are the sultan of Manpower, right?” asked the prosecutor.
“Yes,” replied Bobby.
Noel’s Demand for Rp 1 Billion
‘Sultan’ of Manpower, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, stated that former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (Noel) requested operational funds. Bobby said Noel requested operational funds of Rp 1 billion.
This was stated by Bobby when testifying at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (20/4/2026). Bobby testified for defendants Noel, Fahrurozi as Director General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3 in March 2025, Miki Mahfud as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia, and Temurila as a representative of PT KEM Indonesia.
Initially, the prosecutor read out Bobby’s examination record (BAP) regarding coordination matters related to Noel. The BAP explained that coordination was carried out with someone named David regarding the operational needs of the Deputy Minister.
Bobby’s BAP explained that Noel requested operational funds of Rp 1 billion in two requests. Bobby confirmed the contents of the BAP.
“But here directly after you were introduced to David, then David came to you. Let me read again, ‘After in the Deputy Minister’s room, brother David came to my room. And conveyed a request for money for the needs of defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan of Rp 500 million twice with a total of Rp 1 billion’,” said the prosecutor reading Bobby’s BAP.
“Yes, correct,” replied Bobby.
In addition, Bobby said there was a request for money from Noel for Christmas celebrations. Bobby said Noel did not mention the amount of money for the Christmas celebrations.
“At that time, the person in question did not mention the amount but only said please help with the Christmas celebrations,” replied Bobby.
Bobby admitted to handing over Rp 50 million to fulfil Noel’s request. He said the money was not received directly by Noel, but by a woman suspected to be Noel’s subordinate.
“As far as I remember, at that time I handed over Rp 50 million,” replied Bobby.
‘Sultan’ of Manpower Admits Receiving Rp 58 Billion from K3 Extortion
‘Sultan’ of Manpower, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, admitted to receiving non-technical money for processing certifications. Bobby acknowledged receiving a total of Rp 58 billion.
“Did you receive almost Rp 57 billion, Rp 58 billion over a period of 5 years?” asked the prosecutor.
“2019…,” replied Bobby.
“In your BAP, it is Rp 58.497