Noel Ebenezer Claims Acid Reflux Ahead of Sentencing Hearing in Extortion Case

Former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker), Immanuel Ebenezer, known as Noel Ebenezer, admitted his acid reflux had flared up ahead of the sentencing hearing for an occupational health and safety (K3) certification extortion case within the Ministry of Manpower. ‘Clearly, my GERD is acting up, my stomach acid,’ Noel told reporters at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday, 4 June 2026. Despite this, Noel stated he was ready to face the verdict, hoping the judges would deliver the fairest possible sentence. ‘We entrust this entirely to the judges, as we firmly believe they will issue the fairest decision,’ he said. Noel also expressed gratitude to the prosecutors, his legal counsel, and all Indonesian citizens who have supported him. ‘Certainly, this struggle is not over. Regarding the criminal practices of business actors extorting over diplomas and other matters, I will continue to fight on their front lines,’ he stated. ‘My commitment from the outset has been: if I am proven to have extorted business actors, hand down the death penalty. If not proven, then my hope is for the lightest possible sentence,’ he concluded. Previously, it was reported that Noel was sentenced to 5 years in prison, a Rp250 million fine subsidiary to 90 days’ imprisonment, and a restitution payment of Rp4.43 billion subsidiary to 2 years’ imprisonment. In the alleged extortion case concerning the processing of K3 certificates at the Ministry of Manpower and gratuities during the 2024–2025 period, he was charged with extorting K3 certification or licence applicants amounting to Rp6.52 billion and accepting gratuities. The extortion was allegedly carried out by Noel together with 10 other defendants: Temurila, Miki Mahfud, Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi. Temurila and Miki Mahfud were each sentenced to 3 years in prison; Fahrurozi to 4 years and 6 months; Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi each to 5 years and 6 months; Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro to 6 years; and Hery Sutanto to 7 years. In addition to prison terms, the 10 defendants were also ordered to pay criminal fines of Rp250 million, subsidiary to 90 days’ imprisonment. Furthermore, several defendants were also ordered to pay restitution for having benefited from the corrupt funds, namely Hery for Rp4.73 billion; Subhan for Rp5.8 billion; Gerry for Rp13.26 billion; Bobby for Rp60.32 billion; Sekarsari for Rp42.67 billion; Anita for Rp14.49 billion; Supriadi for Rp19.81 billion; and Fahrurozi for Rp233.01 million, each with a subsidiary sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment.