Facing a Five-Year Sentence, Noel Says He'd Prefer to Embezzle as Much as Possible
Jakarta — Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel, has mocked the disparity in sentencing in a case involving alleged corruption in the processing of K3 certification (Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja). Noel argued that the five-year prison term facing him was not proportionate to other corruption cases whose losses were far larger, and he suggested that perhaps he should have been allowed to commit corruption on a larger scale.
“Better to corrupt as much as possible; it’s only a year’s difference compared with those with lower losses,” Noel said after the indictment hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (18 May 2026). “Imagine that. The person who corrupts Rp 75 billion gets only six years. Me, accused of Rp 3 billion, is charged five years. If that’s the case, should I be remorseful? I am remorseful,” he added.
Nevertheless, Noel admitted that a prison sentence of several years remains heavy for anyone.
“Honestly, whether four years or five years, even if you are punished for just three days, you feel like you’re in hell,” he said. “In other words, I’m puzzled by policies that benefit the people, and I also follow the president’s direction not to let the state suffer losses; I did not steal one rupiah of the people’s money, you know.”
Noel also rejected the extortion allegations levelled at him. He argued that the charges of extortion were not proven at the trial.
Prosecutors say Noel was sentenced to five years in prison and a Rp 250 million fine after being found guilty of extortion in relation to the OSH (K3) certification case at the Ministry of Manpower.
“Sentencing the accused Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan to five years’ imprisonment,” the prosecutor told the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Monday (18 May 2026).
According to the prosecutors, Noel received a total of Rp 4.435 billion in the case, comprising Rp 1 billion in bribes and Rp 3.435 billion in gratification.
Beyond the money, Noel is said to have received luxury goods including a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle. “As well as a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle with plate B 4225 SUQ from Bobby Mahendro valued at Rp 600 million,” the prosecutors added.
“The replacement money charged to the defendant, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, amounts to Rp 1.435 billion,” the prosecutors said. If the replacement sum is not paid, Noel faces an additional two years’ imprisonment.