Noel claims allegations of K3 funds flowing to former Labour Minister Ida are investigators' business

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Manpower for the 2024–2025 period, Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer Gerungan, considers the allegations of fund flows to Labour Minister for the 2019–2024 period, Ida Fauziyah, related to the K3 certification extortion case, to be the affair or domain of investigators.

“I already have burdens in life; even this is heavy for me,” said Noel when met at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

The matter was revealed in the trial facts during the testimony of Dayoena Ivon Muriono, a Government Employee with a Work Agreement (PPPK) from the General Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Manpower, who mentioned a fund flow of Rp50 million.

Additionally, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Coordinator of the Institutional and Personnel Division for Occupational Safety and Health (K3) at the Ministry of Manpower for the 2022–2025 period, who is also a defendant in the case, revealed the same in the examination hearing.

Bobby once mentioned a non-technical money flow to Ida to support activities for the 2024 Legislative Election worth Rp200 million per event.

“My focus is only on my own trial for now,” he said.

In the case of alleged extortion in the management of K3 certificates within the Ministry of Manpower and gratuities for the 2024–2025 period, Noel is charged with extorting certification or K3 licence applicants worth 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 certification applicants who were 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.

Additionally, it benefited 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.

Meanwhile, the gratuities allegedly received by Noel consist of money worth Rp3.36 billion and one unit of blue navy Ducati Scrambler motorcycle, from civil servants (ASN) of the Ministry of Manpower and other private parties, during his tenure as deputy minister.

For his actions, the former deputy minister faces penalties as stipulated in Article 12 letter e or Article 12 letter b and Article 12 B in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law 20 of 2001 jo. Article 20 letter c jo. Article 127 paragraph (1) of the National Criminal Code.