Former Labour Deputy Minister Noel Calls Extortion Allegations 'a Bitter Irony of Life'

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - Former Labour Deputy Minister Immanuel ‘Noel’ Ebenezer Gerungan said the extortion allegations he faces over the issuance of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates are a bitter irony of life for him. Throughout his tenure, he claimed to have defended vulnerable workers. Yet today, he faces allegations that severely damage his reputation, family, and conscience. ‘However, I still respect the legal process,’ Noel said while reading his plea statement at the Corruption Court hearing at Central Jakarta District Court on Monday. During his term, Noel said he received numerous complaints from workers feeling oppressed by unfair labour practices. The practices mentioned include withholding diplomas, unpaid entitlements, unclear employment status, dismissals (PHK), outsourcing, labour brokers, long-term apprenticeships, unpaid severance pay, and workplace accidents. According to him, workers approached him because they felt powerless due to lack of access, funds, and courage to confront stronger parties alone. ‘As Labour Deputy Minister, I felt obligated to hear their voices. Today, I am instead facing extortion allegations,’ he said. Previously, Noel faced a five-year prison sentence, a fine of Rp250 million (or 90 days in jail if unpaid), and Rp4.43 billion in restitution (or two years in jail if unpaid). In the alleged extortion case involving K3 certificate processing within the Ministry of Labour and gratuities during the 2024-2025 term, he was charged with extorting Rp6.52 billion from K3 certification applicants and receiving gratuities. The alleged extortion was carried out by Noel and 10 other defendants: Temurila, Miki Mahfud, Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi. Temurila and Miki Mahfud each face three years in prison; Fahrurozi four years and six months; Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi each five years and six months; Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro six years; and Hery Sutanto seven years. Besides prison terms, the 10 defendants also face a Rp250 million fine (or 90 days in jail if unpaid). Additionally, several defendants are ordered to pay restitution for benefiting from corrupt funds: Hery Rp4.73 billion; Subhan Rp5.8 billion; Gerry Rp13.26 billion; Bobby Rp60.32 billion; Sekarsari Rp42.67 billion; Anita Rp14.49 billion; Supriadi Rp19.81 billion; and Fahrurozi Rp233.01 million, each with an additional two years in jail if unpaid. The K3 certification applicants allegedly 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. Specifically, the extortion allegedly benefited the defendants: Noel received 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. Additionally, Haiyani Rumondang received 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, Noel is alleged to have received Rp3.36 billion and a dark blue Ducati Scrambler motorcycle as gratuities from Ministry of Labour civil servants and private parties during his tenure as Deputy Minister. For his alleged actions, Noel faces charges under Article 12(e) or Article 12(b) and Article 12B in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 20(c) and Article 127(1) of the National Criminal Code.