Irvian Bobby Remains Silent After Offering Himself as Crown Witness in Noel Ebenezer Case

Jakarta, Kompas.com - Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Coordinator for Institutional and Personnel Affairs of K3 at the Ministry of Manpower for 2022-2025, was reticent when asked about his reasons for offering himself as a crown witness in the alleged corruption case of extortion in K3 certification processing, with the defendant being former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer alias Noel.

“Just wait until Monday,” Bobby said when met after the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (16/4/2026).

This proposal is currently awaiting consideration from the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court.

Before the trial began, Presiding Judge Nur Sari Baktiana confirmed the proposal to Bobby.

“Is it true that you are offering yourself as a crown witness?” asked Presiding Judge Nur Sari Baktiana during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (16/4/2026).

“That’s correct, Your Honour, I am offering myself as a crown witness for today’s trial,” Bobby replied.

Bobby’s legal team and the Public Prosecutors (JPU) are known to have discussed this proposal around Friday (10/4/2026).

Bobby’s stance was once rejected by the other defendants.

They argued that suspects or defendants offering themselves as crown witnesses are parties with minor or insignificant roles.

Moreover, the proposal as a crown witness was deemed to should have been made during the investigation stage, not when it has already entered the trial phase.

Furthermore, the trial is already using the new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), so this proposal is not considered problematic.

Due to this debate and objections, the panel of judges decided to postpone the examination of the crown witness until Monday (20/4/2026).