Noel Admits Feeling 'Anxious' Ahead of Sentencing Hearing in OSH Case

JAKARTA — Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, alias Noel, admitted to feeling significant tension ahead of the sentencing hearing in the alleged extortion case involving Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification management. This statement was made by Noel prior to the reading of the prosecution’s demands, following high sentencing demands for several other defendants in the corruption case.

“I am not afraid, but I am anxious,” said Noel at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (18/05/2026). “Humanly speaking, I do have some fear,” he added.

Noel also requested support from the media, hoping that the prosecution’s demands and the final verdict imposed on him would be as lenient as possible. “I ask for the support of my friends in the media; hopefully, the Public Prosecutor and the Judge will decide on the lowest possible sentence,” he said. However, he maintained his stance, stating, “But our commitment remains; the fight against corruption does not stop.”

Additionally, Noel mentioned that he was suffering from a toothache leading up to the hearing. “It is my tooth. My face is swollen. It looks as if I have been beaten by an inmate,” Noel remarked. He also noted, “Being an inmate is not pleasant. Although, the services in the KPK detention centre are all very good.”

According to the prosecution’s indictment, Noel and several officials from the Ministry of Manpower are alleged to have received billions of rupiah through extortion practices targeting applicants for OSH certification and licences. “(The defendants) forced applicants for OSH Certification and Licences to provide money totaling Rp 6,522,360,000, or at least approximately that amount,” the prosecutor stated during the reading of the indictment on 19 January 2026.