Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Noel Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison Over OSH Certificate Case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Immanuel ‘Noel’ Ebenezer Gerungan, the Deputy Minister of Manpower for the 2024–2025 period, has received a prison sentence of four years and six months regarding allegations of extortion in the processing of OSH certificates and bribery.
‘I have been consistent from the beginning in admitting my mistakes. I consider the sentence handed down by the panel of judges to be appropriate for the crimes I committed, so I accept it,’ Noel stated when responding to the judge’s inquiry regarding the verdict during a session at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.
In addition to the prison term, Noel was also ordered to pay a fine and restitution. He was sentenced to a fine of Rp200 million, which, if unpaid, will result in an additional 90 days in prison, as well as restitution amounting to Rp3.43 billion, failing which he will face an additional one year in prison.
Speaking to the media after the trial, Noel remarked that the verdict was a punishment he must endure. ‘It cannot be avoided. An official should not evade or avoid responsibility. Therefore, this is my form of accountability,’ he said.
He noted that the panel of judges had provided extraordinary legal considerations in their decision, as had the public prosecutors in their prosecution efforts. Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to his legal team for their maximum effort in presenting evidence and preparing the defence note. ‘There are no other words except for thanks and regret regarding the events that have befallen me,’ he expressed.
While Noel has accepted the verdict, the public prosecutor stated they are still ‘considering’ their next move. Regarding this, Noel noted the possibility that the prosecution may have other legal considerations. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the legal process regarding his case could be concluded quickly, as he still has ongoing activities related to the struggle for labour rights. ‘This struggle does not end just because I enter prison or am detained; this struggle is still long,’ he said.
In the case involving alleged extortion in the processing of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certificates within the Ministry of Manpower and bribery during the 2024–2025 period, Noel was proven to have received gratifications totalling Rp3.43 billion as non-technical fees for OSH certificate processing, along with one Ducati Scrambler motorcycle. Consequently, the former Deputy Minister was found guilty of violating Article 12 letter b and Article 12 B in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c and Article 127 paragraph (1) of the National Criminal Code.