Witness in Noel Trial Claims She Was Asked to Open Bank Account but Not Told Its Purpose
The prosecutor presented a witness named Farida Astuti, sister-in-law of the defendant in a K3 certification extortion case at the Ministry of Labour (Kemnaker). Farida claimed she was asked to open a bank account suspected of being used as a collection account for extortion proceeds.
Farida was instructed to open the bank account by defendant Anitasari Kusumawati, who served as Subcoordinator of Partnership and Occupational Health Personnel in 2020. The trial was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (9 March 2026).
“Were you ever asked by Ms Anita to open a bank account?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes,” Farida replied.
“Regarding the opening of that account, do you remember which year or month this was?” the prosecutor asked.
“If I’m not mistaken, it was around 2021, though I’ve forgotten the exact date,” Farida answered.
Farida stated that Anita gave her Rp1 million as an initial balance for the new account. She said she was willing to open the account simply to help a family member.
“Why were you willing to be asked to open a bank account?” the prosecutor asked.
“Well, she asked for my help. If I could help, I would help,” Farida replied.
“She’s still family,” the prosecutor noted.
“Yes, she’s my sister-in-law,” Farida answered.
Farida claimed she was not informed about the purpose of opening the account. She stated that she handed over the account details to Anita immediately after it was opened.
“Did you give this account to Ms Anita?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes,” Farida replied.
“On the same day?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes,” Farida replied.
“And then were you told about the purpose of opening that account?” the prosecutor asked.
“No,” Farida answered.
The prosecutor then probed whether a total of Rp443.6 million had entered the account. Farida claimed not to remember because she had immediately handed control of the account to Anita.
“Did you tell the investigator the total amount of money that entered your account?” the prosecutor asked.
“I don’t remember, sir. Because it wasn’t my money anyway,” Farida replied.
“Yes, the total was Rp443,650,000?” the prosecutor asked.
“I don’t remember, sir,” Farida replied.
There are 11 defendants in total in this case. Here are their identities:
Former Deputy Minister of Labour Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel)
Fahrurozi, Director-General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3 as of March 2025
Hery Sutanto, Director of Institutional Development from 2021 to February 2025
Subhan, Subcoordinator of Occupational Safety, Directorate of K3 Development from 2020-2025
Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra, Coordinator of Testing and Occupational Safety Competency Evaluation from 2022
Irvian Bobby Mahendro, Coordinator of K3 Institutional Affairs and Personnel from 2022-2025
Sekarsari Kartika Putri, Subcoordinator of K3 Institutional Development at the Directorate-General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3
Anitasari Kusumawati, Subcoordinator of Partnership and Occupational Health Personnel from 2020
Supriadi, Junior Expert Labour Supervisor, Subcoordinator of K3 Personnel Empowerment at the Directorate-General of Occupational Safety Supervision and K3
Miki Mahfud, representative of PT KEM Indonesia
Temurila, representative of PT KEM Indonesia.