Noel Regrets and Admits Fault After Accepting Rp 3 Billion and Ducati from 'Sultan' of Kemnaker

Former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (Noel) has admitted his mistake in accepting Rp 3 billion and a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle from the ‘sultan’ of Kemnaker, Irvian Bobby. Noel regrets his actions.

He conveyed this during his examination as a defendant in the extortion case involving K3 certificate processing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (7/5/2026). Initially, the judge asked about Noel’s inner feelings as a Deputy Minister who received Rp 3 billion and a Ducati motorcycle from Bobby.

“Regarding your inner feelings as a Deputy Minister, what I want to ask is, is it appropriate for a Deputy Minister to accept a gift of Rp 3 billion and a Ducati from someone you say is problematic in the Ministry of Manpower?” asked the chief judge, Nur Sari Baktiana.

“I knew he was problematic, Your Honour, I don’t know how to put it. I’m used to helping people, so it’s hard when someone asks for help; I definitely assist. That’s it,” Noel replied.

Noel admitted guilt in receiving the money. He confessed to not reporting the receipt to the KPK.

“My question is about receiving this money. You’re already an official, right? Receiving Rp 3 billion and a Ducati motorcycle. How about that? Have you been in the habit of accepting such things all this time or what?” the judge asked.

“I’ve not been in office for long, Your Honour. It was end of December, oh, me, well, anyway, I admit guilt, Your Honour,” Noel replied.

“Yes, okay. Did you make any effort to report this receipt to the KPK?” the judge asked.

“No, Your Honour,” Noel replied.

“So, you’ve stated the conclusion yourself at the end, ‘I admit guilt’,” the judge said.

“Yes, I admit guilt, Your Honour,” Noel replied.

“Do you regret it?” the judge asked again.

“Very much so, Your Honour. And I’m ashamed,” Noel replied.

Noel stated that before his arrest, he was repeatedly warned that he would be ‘dealt with’. He admitted to receiving physical and non-physical threats.

“If earlier your advocate read out the report, the businessman’s report copied to the Almighty God. You said that was just a small one; are there more terrifying ones?” the judge asked.

“Many,” Noel replied.

“If to the Almighty God is small, who are the terrifying ones to?” the judge asked.

“It’s like this, Your Honour. To the Almighty God, not yet the other threats, Your Honour. To be killed, to be whatever, that’s it. That’s small in terms of quantity, just one file. The others are many, Your Honour. Even before I was arrested, I was warned many times, Noel will be dealt with. Noel will be dealt with. I didn’t know what that meant. Turns out the resolution was my arrest by the KPK,” Noel replied.

“So, threats of a physical nature to you?” the judge asked.

“Physical and non-physical. Because many times my policies ended up causing resistance from businesspeople. A simple example is the ILO convention,” Noel replied.

The judge stated that Noel’s contributions have benefited society, such that the diplomas of detained workers were finally returned. The judge said he hopes those contributions become Noel’s good deeds.

“Even though you held the position for less than a year, there are certainly steps you took that left a good mark on society. Many say, Mr Noel helped us get our diplomas back. There are many public narratives, netizens commenting on this trial. When I see the news, I don’t look at the content, I look at what the netizens say,” the judge said.

“It’s really regrettable; you’ve taken steps that are highly appreciated by the public. But you’re in an unclean system, and you went along with it, the Ducati receipt, the Rp 3 billion receipt. The good traces you left are eroded, washed away, and lost. Whereas that could have been your real legacy. Very regrettable,” the judge added.

Noel hopes the panel of judges will give him a wise decision. Noel said he does not want to blame others but admits his mistake.

“First, allow me to admit my mistake, Your Honour. That’s certain. Second, yes, my hope is only in Your Honour’s gavel for my future today. And I just need wisdom and I ask for forgiveness, Your Honour. That’s it. No other words besides my apology. From the first time I was arrested by the KPK, I already admitted guilt,” Noel said.

“Second, when facing the first charge in the trial, I also admitted guilt. I don’t evade my actions. And at this moment, I still admit guilt. I don’t want to scapegoat others for any reason. Done, I accept and I was wrong,” Noel continued.

The judge said Noel’s admission and regret will be considered by the prosecutor in preparing the demands. In this trial, Noel admitted he has not used the Rp 3 billion given by Bobby, and claimed he never asked for the Ducati Scrambler unit, but Bobby took the initiative to give it to him.

“That will be material for consideration. Also for the public prosecutor, defendants who have cooperated in the trial become material for consideration in the demands. That’s the hope. The defendant has also been frank about his mistake, admitted guilt. Of course, your narrative in this trial is also heard by the public. Because you’re a figure known to the public, right,” the judge said.

Noel’s Charges

KPK prosecutors charge Noel with extortion in the management of K3 certification along with several Ministry of Manpower civil servants. Prosecutors state that Noel demanded a share of Rp 3 billion.

Prosecutors state that the act was carried out by Noel together with other defendants, namely Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, Supriadi, Miki Mahfud, and Termurila. The trial was held in a separate file at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (19/1).

“He has acted against the law or abused his authority related to the Issuance and Extension”