K3 Corruption Trial: Anonymous Letter Triggers Investigation into Alleged Extortion Case

JAKARTA - The trial for alleged extortion in the processing of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates has revealed that the initial investigation by law enforcement officials (APH) was triggered by an anonymous report or “tin letter”.

“APH came because of the tin letter,” said the defendant, Hery Sutanto, Director of Institutional Development at the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker), before the panel of judges at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (6/5/2026).

“Well, it reported that Mr Bobby received gratification like that,” he said.

Hery also emphasised that the report mentioned only one name.

“So in the complaint to APH, only Mr Bobby’s name was mentioned, just one,” he stated.

Previously, Hery denied directing the collection of non-technical fees, which were said to come from K3 service companies (PJK3), to himself.

“I never collected or directed the receipt of those non-technical [fees],” he said.

Nevertheless, Hery acknowledged that the practice had been ongoing previously.

“But everything ran as it had before,” he said.

“And I did receive those non-technical funds, and if there were any consignments, I would also pass them to the leadership,” he explained.

However, he stressed that he never directly directed such receipts.

“I never directed that if, for example, we were directing tasks, but if it’s technical, the thanks are all blessings if received, to be shared,” he said.