Sultan Kemnaker's Defence Statement Exposes Culture of Kickbacks: 'I Was Only Continuing the System'
Former Coordinator for Institutional Development and K3 Personnel at the Ministry of Manpower, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, alias ‘Sultan Kemnaker’, revealed the existence of a long-standing culture of non-technical fund collection within the Directorate of K3 Institutional Development.
‘I am merely a subordinate instructed to continue a system and culture that has existed for a long time,’ Bobby stated while reading his defence statement titled ‘Back on Track’ at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (26/5/2026).
‘This culture had been ongoing long before my tenure and was prevalent across all sectors of the Directorate of K3 Institutional Development, effectively legitimising the practice,’ he added.
Bobby likened the situation to someone discarding waste in a dirty environment, thus considering the act normal.
‘For example, if you litter in a filthy area, you might think it’s acceptable,’ he said.
‘While I did personally benefit from a small portion of these funds, the majority was allocated for routine expenses of superiors, including coordinators, directors, staff, directorates-general, special assistants, and even the deputy minister,’ Bobby explained.
He also stated the funds were used for ministry operations, from administrative needs to internal activities.
‘The non-technical funds were also used for operational activities such as certificate and licence fees, honorary staff salaries, daily directorate staff lunches, holiday allowances, year-end bonuses, and regular sacrificial cattle,’ he said.
‘To meet the deputy minister’s demand of Rp4 billion and a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle, I sold my vehicle,’ he added.
Nevertheless, Bobby expressed regret for his actions, admitting his weakness in resisting the established system.
‘I feel guilty and weak for being unable to challenge the system and defy superior orders,’ he concluded.
In his closing plea, Bobby requested the judges to impose the lightest possible sentence.