Former Deputy Labour Minister Noel Applies for House Arrest with KPK
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Manpower for the 2024–2025 period, Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer Gerungan, has applied to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to become a house detainee.
The statement responds to a journalist’s question regarding the earlier change of status to house arrest by the KPK for the Minister of Religious Affairs for 2020-2024, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who is embroiled in an alleged corruption case involving Hajj quotas.
“Yes, one must apply for it,” said Noel when met before the trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday.
Noel is currently detained at the KPK Detention Centre Branch at the Red and White Building, South Jakarta, in connection with an alleged extortion case for occupational safety and health (K3) certification.
On the same occasion, Noel’s advocate, San Salvator, revealed that the application for his client’s house arrest status is being pursued, considering the principle of equality before the law.
This principle is a fundamental tenet in a state of law that ensures every citizen is equal before the law, has the same rights to fair treatment, and equal access to justice without discrimination.
“Whether the application is granted or not, we will see the policy and authority. We will also see the process today whether it goes directly to the KPK,” said Salvator.
In the alleged extortion case in the management of K3 certificates within the Ministry of Manpower and gratifications during the 2024–2025 period, Noel is accused of extorting certification or K3 licence applicants worth Rp6.52 billion and receiving gratifications.
The extortion is alleged to have been carried out together with 10 other defendants, namely Temurila, Miki Mahfud, Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi.
It is stated that the K3 certification applicants who were extorted by the defendants include Fanny Fania Octapiani, Fransisca Xaveriana, Grhadini Lukitasari Tasya, Intan Fitria Permatasari, Muhammad Deny, Nicken Ayu Wulandari, Nur Aisyah Astuti, Octavia Voni Andari, Shalsabila Salu, and Sri Enggarwati.
In detail, the extortion is alleged to have been carried out to benefit the defendants being tried together, consisting of Noel benefiting Rp70 million; Fahrurozi Rp270.95 million; Hery, Gerry, and Sekarsari each Rp652.24 million; Subhan and Anitasari each Rp326.12 million; Irvian Rp978.35 million; and Supriadi Rp294.06 million.
In addition, it also benefits Haiyani Rumondang by Rp381.28 million; Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga Rp288.17 million; Chairul Fadhly Harahap Rp37.94 million; Ida Rochmawati Rp652.24 million; and Fitriana Bani Gunaharti and Nila Pratiwi Ichsan each Rp326.12 million.
Meanwhile, the gratifications allegedly received by Noel consist of money worth Rp3.36 billion and one unit of a navy blue Ducati Scrambler, from civil servants (ASN) of the Ministry of Manpower and other private parties, during his tenure as Deputy Minister of Manpower.
For his actions, the former Deputy Minister faces penalties as stipulated in Article 12 letter e or Article 12 letter b and Article 12 B in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law 20/2001 jo. Article 20 letter c jo. Article 127 paragraph (1) of the National Criminal Code.