Former Deputy Labour Minister Noel Regrets Accepting Rp3.36 Billion in Gratuities and Ducati

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Manpower for the 2024–2025 period, Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer Gerungan, has admitted to regretting accepting gratuities worth Rp3.36 billion and a Ducati motorcycle related to the alleged extortion case in the processing of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates.

He stated that at the time, he was merely assisting and receiving rewards from Irvian Bobby Mahendro, the Coordinator for Institutional and Personnel Affairs of K3 at the Ministry of Manpower for the 2022–2025 period.

“I have a habit of helping people, so it’s hard when someone asks for help; I definitely assist,” Noel said during the defendant’s examination hearing at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

He mentioned that he had not used the gratuity money he received and emphasised that he never requested a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle; it was an initiative from Bobby.

Thus, he apologised and felt guilty for his actions.

On the other hand, the former Deputy Minister claimed he was unaware of the obligation to report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the gratuities he received, so there had been no attempts to report the receipts to the anti-corruption agency.

In the alleged extortion case in the processing of K3 certificates within the Ministry of Manpower and gratuities during the 2024–2025 period, Noel is charged with extorting certification or K3 licence applicants worth Rp6.52 billion and receiving gratuities.

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; Bobby 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 gratuities allegedly received by Noel consist of money worth Rp3.36 billion and one blue navy Ducati Scrambler motorcycle, from civil servants (ASN) of the Ministry of Manpower and other private parties, during his tenure as Deputy Minister.

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 Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph (1) of the National Criminal Code.