Feeling He Had Connections, Noel Ebenezer Agrees to Help Bobby's Case and Requests Rp 3 Billion

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer alias Noel agreed to a request from Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Coordinator of Institutional and Personnel K3 for the Ministry of Manpower for 2022-2025, to handle his case while he was being questioned by prosecutors, believing he had connections in the cabinet.

Noel stated that Bobby came to his office to ask for help because he was having problems with law enforcement officials (APH) at the time.

“Because, to be honest, you came to me just to ask for help regarding your case where you had issues with the APH,” said Noel during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Tuesday (21/4/2026).

“And I, at that time, because I had good communication with several institutions since we were in the cabinet, I was able to communicate that,” he continued.

The money was given by Bobby shortly after the request.

During the trial, it was not yet specified when the Rp 3 billion payment was made.

As is known, the alleged corruption case of extortion in handling K3 certificates is now being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Noel and the other defendants were arrested in a handcatch operation (OTT) on 20 August 2025.

Meanwhile, the receipt of money by Noel is suspected to have occurred shortly after his inauguration, in December 2024.

After being designated as a suspect in the extortion case, on 22 August 2025, President Prabowo Subianto officially dismissed Noel from his position as Wamenaker.

Former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel) and his accomplices are accused of receiving Rp 6.5 billion from extorting applicants for K3 certificates and licences.

This was stated by the prosecutor during the first indictment hearing of the corruption case of extortion in handling K3 certificates at the Central Jakarta District Court, Monday (19/1/2026).

“That the Defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan together with Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, Supriadi, Miki Mahfud, and Temurila have forced the K3 Certification and Licence Applicants to give money in the total amount of Rp6,522,360,000 or at least around that amount,” said the prosecutor.