Entangled in a Corruption Case, Noel Ebenezer: I Regret Having Been Deputy Minister

Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, or Noel Ebenezer, vented his frustration over being entangled in a case of alleged extortion regarding the processing of K3 certification at the Ministry of Manpower. He even admitted regretting having held the post of Deputy Minister. “Imagine, 10 months as deputy minister, 10 months in KPK detention. I regret very much becoming deputy minister,” Noel told reporters at the Tipikor Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, quoted on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. Noel argued that the prosecutors’ charges do not reflect the facts in court. He said the accusations were built on mere assumptions. “This is terrifying, the prosecutors’ charges without looking at the court’s facts,” he said. He then compared his role with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in saving public money. Noel claimed there was more money saved for the public by him than by the KPK during his tenure as Deputy Minister. “KPK and me, I saved more of the people’s money than the KPK. Let’s pit the KPK against me,” he said. Previously reported, former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer or Noel Ebenezer was charged with five years’ imprisonment in connection with alleged extortion of the K3 certification at the Ministry of Manpower. “Sentencing the defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Geringan to five years in prison,” the prosecutor said when reading the charges at the Tipikor Court, Central Jakarta, Monday, 18 May 2026. In addition, the prosecutor also demanded Noel Ebenezer pay a fine of Rp250 million with a substitute of 90 days’ confinement and restitution of Rp4,435,000,000. However, because Noel had returned part of the money amounting to Rp3 billion, the amount of restitution to be paid is Rp1.43 billion. If, within one month after the court ruling becomes final, Noel fails to pay the restitution, he will be sentenced to 2 years in prison. “If not paid, he will be imprisoned for 2 years,” the Prosecutor said.