'Sultan' Kemnaker Fails to Become Crown Witness in Noel's Trial Today
The defendant in the extortion case involving occupational safety and health (K3) certificates, known as ‘Sultan’ Kemnaker, Irvian Bobby Mahendro Putro, will not become a crown witness. Prosecutors stated that the formal requirements for the crown witness application have not been met.
The hearing was held at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (20/4/2026). The defendants in this trial are former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), Irvian Bobby, and nine others.
“The postponement last week related to the Public Prosecutor’s or KPK’s request to the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court. We, as the panel, take this opportunity to ask the public prosecutor whether there has been a response from the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court? Because the panel did not receive a copy or further notification. Perhaps it can be explained what happens next,” said the presiding judge, Nur Sari Baktiana.
Prosecutors stated that they had received a letter from the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court (Jakpus) addressed to the KPK leadership. Prosecutors said the Chief Judge of Jakpus has not granted Bobby’s request to become a crown witness because several formal requirements have not been fulfilled.
“In the letter addressed to us, there are indeed several formal requirements that we have not been able to meet. So, the essence of the reply letter addressed to us is that the request cannot be granted. That’s the main point, Your Honour,” he said.
The judge then asked if there were other defendants who would become crown witnesses. The hearing was then adjourned so the defendants could discuss with their legal teams.
“So there is already a response from the leadership of the Central Jakarta District Court, the essence of which is that the request, because it does not meet the formal requirements, cannot be granted. That’s the gist. Now, regarding the response from the Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court related to the examination of witnesses among the defendants, as witnesses among the defendants, what is the next procedure for the Public Prosecutor?” said the judge.
“Thank you, Panel. Regarding witnesses, we follow Article 219 regarding defendants who will become witnesses. Perhaps we ask each defendant if there is anyone who wants to become a witness other than a crown witness, Your Honour,” replied the prosecutor.
For information, Bobby submitted himself as a crown witness in this trial on Thursday (16/4). The new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) regulates that a crown witness is a suspect or defendant with a minor role who is made a witness to help uncover the involvement of other perpetrators in the same case.
The KUHAP states that if there is no suspect with a minor role, a defendant who admits guilt and provides substantive assistance may receive a sentence reduction. The designation of a crown witness is determined by the public prosecutor to strengthen the proof against the main perpetrators. The KUHAP states that this mechanism must still ensure justice and avoid coerced testimony.
In total, there are 11 defendants in this case. Here are their identities:
Former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer or Noel
Fahrurozi, Director General of Worker Supervision and K3 in March 2025
Hery Sutanto as Director of Institutional Development from 2021 to February 2025
Subhan as Sub-coordinator for Workplace Safety in the K3 Development Directorate from 2020-2025
Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra as Coordinator for Testing and Evaluation of Workplace Safety Competency from 2022
Irvian Bobby Mahendro as Coordinator for Institutions and K3 Personnel from 2022-2025
Sekarsari Kartika Putri as Sub-coordinator for K3 Institutional Development in the Directorate General of Worker Supervision and K3
Anitasari Kusumawati as Sub-coordinator for Partnerships and Workplace Health Personnel from 2020
Supriadi as Junior Expert Labour Inspector as Sub-coordinator for K3 Personnel Empowerment in the Directorate General of Worker Supervision and K3
Miki Mahfud from PT KEM Indonesia
Temurila from PT KEM Indonesia.