Noel Ebenezer Expresses Disbelief Over 5-Year Prison Sentence Demand: 'Might as Well Corrupt as Much as Possible!'
Jakarta, VIVA – Former Deputy Minister of Manpower, Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel Ebenezer, is facing a demand for five years in prison and a fine of Rp250 million in connection with the alleged extortion of Occupational Health and Safety (K3) certifications at the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker).
Responding to the prosecution’s demand, Noel expressed astonishment at the disparity in sentencing between himself and other defendants. He highlighted the discrepancy between his demand and that of Irvian Bobby Mahendro (known as Sultan Kemenaker), the 2022-2025 Coordinator for K3 Institutional and Personnel Affairs, whose sentence differs by only one year despite allegedly being involved in much larger-scale corruption.
“Imagine, the one who corrupted Rp75 billion only gets 6 years. I, who am accused of Rp3 billion, get 5 years. If that is the case, would you regret it? Of course, I regret it. It would be better to corrupt as much as possible if the difference is only one year,” Noel stated following the trial at the Corruption Court in Central Jakarta on Monday, 18 May 2026.
Noel also compared his demand to that of defendant Hery Sutanto, Director of Institutional Development 2021-February 2025. Hery faces a demand of 7 years in prison, a fine of Rp250 million (subsidiary to 90 days of imprisonment), and restitution of Rp4,735,170,000 (subsidiary to 2 years of imprisonment).
“Mr. Hery, with only Rp4 billion, faces a maximum of 7 years. This is madness, I say; how does the law work? I do not understand the logic behind this. To be honest, whether it is 4 years or 5 years, being imprisoned for even 3 days feels like hell, let alone much longer,” he remarked.
“This means I am confused as to why we implement policies that benefit the people, and then I follow the President’s orders to ensure there is no state loss, yet I did not steal even a single rupiah of the people’s money,” Noel continued.
Previously reported, the former Deputy Minister of Manpower, Immanuel Ebenezer, is facing the five-year prison demand regarding the alleged extortion of K3 certifications at the Ministry of Manwork.
“Sentencing the defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Geringan to five years of imprisonment,” the Prosecutor stated while reading the indictment at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 18 May 2026.
In addition, the Prosecutor also demanded that Noel Ebenezer pay a fine of Rp250 million, subsidiary to 90 days of imprisonment, and restitution of Rp4,435,000,000.