Noel Ebenezer Faces 5-Year Prison Sentence in Bribery and Gratification Case

The former Deputy Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, Immanuel Ebeneber, known as Noel Ebenezer, has been sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of Rp250 million, with a subsidiary of 90 days in prison.

Prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that Noel was proven to have received funds totalling Rp4.4 billion, consisting of a Rp1 billion bribe, Rp3.4 billion in gratifications, and a navy blue Ducati Scrambler motorcycle valued at Rp600 million.

“Sentencing the defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan to five years of imprisonment and a fine of Rp250 million, subsidiary to 90 days of imprisonment,” the KPK prosecutor stated while reading the indictment at the Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor) of the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday night.

The prosecution also requested that the panel of judges order Noel to pay restitution amounting to Rp4.4 billion. However, as Noel has already returned a portion of the funds amounting to Rp3 billion, the remaining restitution to be paid is Rp1.43 billion. Should Noel’s assets prove insufficient to cover the restitution within one month after the court’s decision becomes legally binding, the amount will be replaced by an additional two-year prison sentence.

Based on the legal facts presented during the trial, prosecutors stated that Noel was proven to have violated Article 12 letter b in conjunction with Article 18 of the Law on Eradication of Corruption Crimes, in conjunction with Article 20 letter C and Article 127 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).

In delivering the sentencing demand, the prosecutors highlighted several aggravating and mitigating factors. The aggravating factor is that Noel’s actions do not support the government’s programme to achieve a government free from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN). Conversely, the mitigating factors include Noel’s admission of his actions, the partial return of the funds, his lack of prior criminal record, and his polite conduct during the trial.

In addition to Noel, several other defendants from the Ministry of Manpower have also been found guilty and sentenced to prison in connection with this bribery and gratification case.