Noel Ebenezer to Face Sentencing in K3 Certification Extortion Case Today
JAKARTA — Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, alias Noel, will undergo a sentencing hearing regarding the alleged extortion of Occupational Health and Safety (K3) certification processing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, 18 May 2026.
“We will reopen the hearing for the defendant on Monday, 18 May 2026, with the agenda of the criminal indictment from the Public Prosecutor,” stated the chairperson of the Jakarta Corruption Court panel, Nur Sari Baktiana, on Thursday (7/5/2026).
This sentencing hearing marks a critical stage in the case involving Noel and several officials and staff within the Ministry of Manpower related to the alleged extortion of K3 certification and licensing processes. According to the prosecution’s indictment, Noel and several Ministry officials are accused of receiving billions of rupiah through extortion practices targeting K3 certification and licence applicants.
“The defendants coerced K3 certification and licence applicants to provide funds totalling Rp 6,522,360,000, or at least approximately that amount,” the prosecutor stated during the reading of the indictment on 19 January 2026.
The trial revealed the existence of a ‘tradition’ of non-technical levies or ‘under-the-table’ payments within the Directorate General of K3 Supervision and Enforcement. Prosecutors revealed that the former Director of Institutional Development at the Ministry of Manpower, Hery Sutanto, instructed subordinates to continue this ‘tradition’ of levies for the issuance and renewal of K3 certifications and licences through Occupational Health and Safety Service Companies (PJK3). These levies were reported to range from Rp 300,000 to Rp 500,000 per certificate.
In the indictment, Noel is alleged to have received Rp 3.365 billion and a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle (registration number B 4225 SUQ) from Ministry of Manpower civil servants and other private parties in connection with the case. The prosecution also noted that Noel failed to report these receipts to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) within the 30-day period mandated by the Anti-Corruption Law.
“Consequently, the entirety of these monetary receipts constitutes gratifications deemed as bribes received by the defendant, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, for which there is no legal basis,” the prosecutor stated.
For his actions, Noel is charged with violating Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code, and Article 127 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. In previous proceedings, Noel pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for receiving billions of rupiah and the Ducati motorcycle.
“I plead guilty, Your Honour. I regret it. I deeply regret it, Your Honour. And I am ashamed,” Noel stated during the K3 corruption trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (7/5/2026).