Noel: 'Execute Me to Set Example Against Corruption' as Prosecutors Seek Five-Year Sentence

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Labour Minister Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, known as Noel, has stated he is prepared to take responsibility for the alleged extortion case involving the certification process for Occupational Safety and Health (K3) that has implicated him. He responded to the prosecutors’ demand for a five-year sentence. Noel admitted fault from the outset and refused to blame others in the case. ‘We prioritise public justice. If I’m to be an example in fighting corruption, just execute me! That’s it, execution. I’m more willing, more at peace for what? For corruption eradication,’ Noel said. Noel insisted he does not want to be someone evading legal responsibility. He stated that since his arrest and throughout the trial, he has consistently admitted his guilt. ‘Don’t be a coward. I’ve admitted fault from the moment of arrest, during the first hearing, and right up to this moment I’m still admitting it,’ he said. He also affirmed he does not wish to implicate or blame others to reduce his sentence. ‘I won’t shift blame, point fingers at A, B, C, D. That’s it. I’m guilty, I take responsibility, face the punishment. That’s all,’ Noel added. Noel’s defence counsel stated: ‘The core of the indictment is that the defendant, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, is charged as part of a criminal extortion and bribery case in the K3 certification process. However, this is merely the prosecution’s imagination.’ The defence counsel also emphasised no witness testified that Noel ordered the extortion against PJK3. ‘According to trial facts, no witness has stated that the defendant, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, directed the extortion of PJK3,’ the counsel added.