When the Judge Grew Curious About the Witness's Relationship with the Defendant in Foreign Worker Permit Case: Any Secrets?
The presiding judge in the corruption trial concerning the alleged illegal processing of foreign worker (TKA) permits at the Ministry of Manpower questioned the closeness between Harry Ayusman, the Labour Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and defendant Wisnu Pramono, who served as Director of Foreign Worker Employment Control (PPTKA) from 2017 to 2019, to the extent that the latter purchased a car for the witness. The judge repeatedly pressed for details about the nature of their relationship.
The hearing was held at the Central Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday (19 February 2026). Initially, the judge asked why Harry had returned the car given to him by Wisnu after using it for eight months.
The judge then continued questioning Harry about Wisnu’s reasons for giving him the vehicle, expressing curiosity about how close the two actually were.
“How close is your relationship with Mr Wisnu that he bought you a car? Earlier, when the associate judge asked you, you said it was because he felt sorry that you had no car back in your home village. So how close is this relationship that he was so attentive as to buy you a car?” the judge asked.
“We were close as long-time colleagues. I worked with him since Sritex. It was merely a superior-subordinate relationship,” Harry replied.
The judge then asked whether other subordinates received similar treatment from Wisnu. Harry claimed not to know.
“You don’t know? Even after you returned that car, you received another loan. You stated here that a blue Ford Laser and a red Suzuki Estilo were lent to you?” the judge asked.
“That is correct, Your Honour,” Harry answered.
“Was there anything specifically entrusted to you by Mr Wisnu? Did Mr Wisnu have something he entrusted to you? For instance, were there certain secrets related to work that he confided in you, which led to the extra attention he gave you?” the judge asked.
“No, Your Honour. From the beginning, we simply worked together, and then I was heavily involved… at that time it was the RPTKA [Foreign Worker Employment Plan] period. So my personal relationship with him was good,” Harry replied.
“But with the others — your colleagues who were also under Mr Wisnu — did he treat them in a similar manner to how he treated you?” the judge asked.
“I don’t know, Your Honour. I don’t know about the others. But he was good to me,” Harry answered.
Previously, Harry also admitted to receiving fortnightly cash payments from Wisnu, delivered through two individuals named Ariswan and Alva. Harry disclosed this when questioned by the prosecution.
Harry acknowledged receiving Rp 1.5 million every two weeks. He further explained that there were other payments, including “ketupat money” (Eid al-Fitr bonuses) and “trumpet money” (year-end bonuses).
“In your witness statement number 18, you explained that the fortnightly payments totalled Rp 60 million, then there was Lebaran or ketupat money of Rp 5 million, and year-end trumpet money of Rp 5 million. So the total was Rp 70 million. Is that correct, sir?” the prosecutor asked.
“That is correct, sir,” Harry replied.
Harry also confirmed that he had received a car from Wisnu, given on the basis of their close relationship.
“That’s right, sir. A white Calya. In 2017, sir,” Harry answered.
There are eight defendants in this case, identified as follows:
- Putri Citra Wahyoe — RPTKA Hotline Officer (2019–2024) and RPTKA Endorsement Verifier at the Directorate of Foreign Worker Employment Control (PPTKA) (2024–2025).
- Jamal Shodiqin — Administrative Analyst at the PPTKA Directorate (2019–2024) and First Expert Employment Facilitator at the PPTKA Directorate (2024–2025).
- Alfa Eshad — Junior Expert Employment Facilitator at the Ministry of Manpower (2018–2025).
- Suhartono — Director General of Labour Placement Development and Employment Opportunity Expansion (Binapenta and PKK) at the Ministry of Manpower (2020–2023).
- Haryanto — Director of PPTKA (2019–2024), Director General of Binapenta and PKK (2024–2025), and currently serving as Ministerial Expert Staff for International Relations.
- Wisnu Pramono — Director of PPTKA (2017–2019).
- Devi Angraeni — Director of PPTKA (2024–2025).
- Gatot Widiartono — Coordinator for Foreign Worker Employment Analysis and Control (PPTKA) (2021–2025).
The prosecution stated that the defendants demanded money and goods from agents, including a Vespa Primavera 150 ABS A/T motorcycle and one Innova Reborn car. The extortion was carried out with the aim of enriching these civil servants at the Ministry of Manpower.
The breakdown of alleged enrichment is as follows: Putri — Rp 6.39 billion; Jamal — Rp 551.16 million; Alfa — Rp 5.24 billion; Suhartono — Rp 460 million; Haryanto — Rp 84.72 billion plus one Innova Reborn car; Wisnu — Rp 25.2 billion plus one Vespa Primavera 150 ABS A/T motorcycle; Devi — Rp 3.25 billion; and Gatot — Rp 9.48 billion.