Revealed in Court: Company Used Term "Devil's Money" in Expense Notes Related to K3 Certification
JAKARTA - The term “devil’s money” surfaced during the trial of an alleged extortion and gratification case related to the processing of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates within the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker) from 2021 to 2025.
The term was revealed when witness Vera Lutfia, Director of PT Upaya Karya Sejahtera, responded to questions from the Public Prosecutor (JPU) before the panel of judges in a hearing held on Monday (6/4/2026).
The prosecutor initially delved into evidence of cash and transfer transactions allegedly linked to extortion practices in the K3 certification process at Kemenaker.
According to Vera, the term “devil’s money” was written in the company’s internal notes related to expense funds.
The prosecutor then confirmed the meaning of the term and verified the writing.
“It can (be read), it’s written ‘devil’s money’. Actually, we object,” Vera stated.
The hearing also uncovered several payments made either in cash or via transfer, according to the defendant’s demands.
Previously, in this case, Noel along with several Kemenaker officials was charged with receiving around Rp6.5 billion from alleged extortion targeting applicants for K3 certificates and licences.
The defendants are Noel, together with Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, Supriadi, Miki Mahfud, and Temurila.
The prosecutor explained that the extortion practices were alleged to have occurred since 2021, using the method of inflating the costs of issuing K3 certificates.
The indictment also mentioned that Hery Sutanto instructed his subordinates to continue the “tradition” of appreciation or non-technical fees (under the table) within the Directorate General of Occupational Safety and Health Supervision (Ditjen Binwasnaker K3).
This tradition involved levies related to the issuance and renewal of K3 certifications and licences at Kemenaker through PJK3 experts, amounting to Rp300,000 to Rp500,000 per certificate.
The prosecutor also stated that Noel was alleged to have received Rp3,365,000,000 as well as one Ducati Scrambler motorcycle with licence plate B 4225 SUQ from Kemenaker civil servants and other private parties in this case.
This receipt was not reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) within 30 days as required by the Corruption Eradication Law.
For his actions, Noel is charged with violating Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.