Witness at Noel's Trial Admits Receiving Rp 65 Million in 'Thank You' Money

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – The Head of the Institutional Accreditation and Occupational Health and Safety (K3) Management System Section at the Ministry of Manpower for the 2015–2020 period, Chandrales Riawati Dewi, admitted to receiving Rp 65 million in “thank you” money for processing K3 certifications. She revealed this while testifying in the trial for the alleged K3 certification extortion case at the Ministry of Manpower involving former Deputy Minister of Manpower Noel Ebenezer at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday (2/13).

Dewi admitted to receiving the Rp 65 million after prosecutors read out the examination report (BAP).

“Yes, here you stated in your examination report that you received up to Rp 65 million,” the prosecutor said, reading from the report. “Yes, I have returned it,” Dewi replied.

Dewi revealed that she received the money while serving as Section Head from 2019 through 2025. She also disclosed that the money came from occupational health and safety service companies (PJK3).

“As I recall, when I first became Section Head, sir, I was honestly a bit surprised — why was this being given? Why was there this payment? Even though I had heard about it before, that was when I found out firsthand. But the PJK3 companies always said, ‘This is thank-you money, ma’am, to be shared with the team,’” Dewi said.

Meanwhile, when the judge questioned Dewi, it was revealed that the money was given in exchange for helping process K3 certificates.

“It’s not possible that it was just because you were there. You are a person who is part of the process. So there’s no ‘maybe.’ You were part of the business process there, so the question is: thank you for what?” asked Presiding Judge Nur Sari Baktiana.

“For helping process certificates,” Dewi answered.

Previously, in this case, Noel and associates were charged with committing extortion related to K3 certification processing totaling Rp 6.5 billion.

“Unlawfully or abusing their authority, defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan together with Fahrurozi, Hery Sutanto, Subhan, Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Anitasari Kusumawati, and Supriadi, Miki Mahfud, and Temurila unlawfully or abused their authority in connection with the Issuance and Extension of Individual Occupational Health and Safety (K3) Certifications or Licenses for certification or license applicants,” the prosecutor said while reading the indictment on Monday (1/19).

Additionally, Noel was also charged with receiving gratuities totaling Rp 3,365,000,000 and one dark blue Ducati Scrambler motorcycle. The money and motorcycle were provided by Ministry of Manpower civil servants and private parties.