Immanuel Ebenezer Remains Convinced the Case Against Him Was a Set-Up

Jakarta — The Deputy Minister of Manpower for the 2024–2025 period, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, also known as Noel, remains convinced that the case against him over alleged extortion in K3 certification is a set-up. ‘I am sure this is part of a set-up by a businessman who dislikes my policies related to my inspections,’ Noel said when met ahead of a hearing at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday, 6 March 2026. He noted that so far there has been no testimony from witnesses in the trial linking the extortion of K3 safety and health certification to him. More than 50 percent of the witnesses, he said, are not connected to Noel. The same applies to the arrest operation and the evidence found. Nevertheless, he hopes the witness examination in the future can proceed smoothly, especially since the public prosecutor and judges have acted professionally. ‘But I am optimistic there will be no statements linking me to this case. Who is extorted? Which case?’ he said. In the case of alleged extortion in the processing of K3 certificates within the Ministry of Manpower and gratuities during the 2024–2025 period, Noel is charged with extorting K3 certificate applicants or licence applicants amounting to 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 certificate applicants extorted by the defendants included 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 believed to have been conducted to benefit the defendants who were tried concurrently, comprising Noel who benefited 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. Additionally, it enriched Haiyani Rumondang by Rp381.28 million; Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga Rp288.17 million; Chairul Fadhly Harahap Rp37.94 million; Ida Rochmawati Rp652.24 million; as well as Fitriana Bani Gunaharti and Nila Pratiwi Ichsan, each Rp326.12 million.