Noel and Ministry of Manpower Officials Face Sentencing in Extortion Case

The Central Jakarta Corruption Court (PN Tipikor Jakarta Pusat) was the scene of a crucial sentencing hearing on Monday, May 18, for two prominent figures entangled in a widespread corruption scandal. Former Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, known by his alias Noel, and the Ministry of Manpower’s Coordinator of Institutional and K3 Personnel, Irvian Bobby Mahendro, famously dubbed “Sultan Kemnaker,” faced prosecutors’ demands. Both are implicated in alleged extortion and gratification related to the issuance of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates within the Ministry of Manpower. Prosecutors demanded a five-year prison sentence for Noel and a six-year term for Bobby. The following summarizes the significant moments from the courtroom proceedings.

Noel’s Candid Account
Upon entering the courtroom, Noel revealed he was unwell but expressed his readiness to proceed with the hearing, hoping for a swift conclusion to the legal process. He disclosed suffering from a severe toothache during his detention, noting that his face was visibly swollen due to the pain. “My tooth, my face is swollen. It looks like I’ve been beaten by other detainees,” Noel quipped to reporters when asked about his condition as he arrived at the Corruption Court in Jakarta. Despite his discomfort, Noel chose to be present to hear the demands from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) public prosecutor. He shared his recent struggles and commended the swift response of the detention center authorities. “Yesterday, I was still in pain. Fortunately, I could attend the hearing today. I suffered immensely for several days. Fortunately, the head of the detention center and the guards were very responsive in addressing my illness; they immediately took me to the hospital,” he stated.

Noel’s Hopes Amidst Adversity
Approaching the trial, Noel affirmed his mental preparedness and voiced his hope for a lenient sentence from the prosecutors. “Firstly, our mental strength is resilient. We hope the public prosecutor demands the lowest possible sentence for us,” Noel told journalists at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court. Despite his current status as a defendant, Noel underscored his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law in Indonesia. “Secondly, we remain supportive of anti-corruption efforts. That has been my fundamental commitment even before becoming a defendant,” he asserted. Noel also expressed his desire for a speedy resolution to the legal process that has ensnared him. “Thirdly, I also hope this process concludes quickly. Let it not drag on; we get tired being in detention,” Noel added.

Prosecutor Demands 5 Years for Noel
In the case involving alleged extortion and gratification concerning K3 certificate management within the Ministry of Manpower, Noel was ultimately demanded a five-year prison sentence. “To impose a criminal penalty on defendant Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan in the form of five years of imprisonment,” the prosecutor stated during the reading of the sentencing demands at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, May 18. Beyond the custodial sentence, Noel was also demanded to pay a fine of Rp 250 million, with a subsidiary sentence of 90 days imprisonment if unpaid. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay restitution totaling Rp 4,435,000,000. Given that Noel had already returned Rp 3 billion, the remaining restitution amount he must pay is Rp 1,435,000,000, or face an additional two years in prison.

The prosecutor’s deliberations highlighted their conviction that Noel demonstrably received illegal funds, referred to as “non-technical money,” related to K3 certificate processing, which was handed over by other Ministry of Manpower civil servants. An aggravating factor in the demand was that Noel’s actions were deemed to undermine the government’s program to foster a government free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN). Mitigating factors, however, included Noel’s admission of his actions, partial restitution of the illicit gains, absence of prior convictions, family dependents, and his polite conduct throughout the trial. Based on his actions, Noel is believed to have violated Article 12 letters b and B of the Anti-Corruption Law jo. Article 18 of the Anti-Corruption Law jo. Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code jo. Article 127 paragraph 1 of the New Criminal Code Law.

“Sultan Kemnaker” Demanded 6 Years in Prison
Irvian Bobby Mahendro, known as “Sultan Kemnaker,” faced a demand of six years imprisonment. Prosecutors concluded that the defendant was demonstrably guilty of extortion and receiving gratification. “To impose a criminal penalty on defendant Irvian Bobby Mahendro in the form of six years of imprisonment,” the public prosecutor declared while reading the sentencing demands at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, May 18. In addition to the prison term, Bobby was also demanded to pay a fine of Rp 250 million, with a subsidiary sentence of 90 days imprisonment. Crucially, he was ordered to pay a staggering restitution amount of Rp 60,329,415,416. Should his assets prove insufficient to cover this sum, it will be converted into an additional two years of imprisonment.

In formulating their demands, prosecutors considered Bobby’s actions as a serious aggravating factor, as they directly contradicted the government’s steadfast efforts to eradicate corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN). On the mitigating side, the defendant had no prior criminal record, held family responsibilities, and maintained a cooperative and polite demeanor throughout the trial. Prosecutors maintain that Irvian Bobby Mahendro violated the provisions of Article 12 letters b and B juncto Article 18 of the Anti-Corruption Law juncto Article 20 letter c juncto Article 127 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.

Demands for Nine Other Defendants
Beyond Noel and Bobby, prosecutors also presented demands for nine other defendants, who were tried in separate files. These individuals include officials from the Ministry of Manpower and private sector parties, with the following detailed sentences demanded:

1. Hery Sutanto (Director of Institutional Development 2021-2025), demanded 7 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 4.7 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
2. Subhan (Sub-coordinator of Work Safety, Directorate of K3 Development 2020-2025), demanded 5.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 5.8 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
3. Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra (Coordinator of K3 Testing and Evaluation), demanded 5.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 13.2 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
4. Sekarsari Kartika Putri (Sub-coordinator of K3 Institutional Development), demanded 5.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 42.6 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
5. Anitasari Kusumawati (Sub-coordinator of Partnership and Occupational Health Personnel), demanded 5.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 14.4 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
6. Supriadi (Junior Expert Manpower Inspector), demanded 5.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 19.8 billion (subsidiary 2 years).
7. Fahrurozi (Director General of Manpower Supervision and K3), demanded 4.5 years in prison, a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days), and restitution of Rp 233 million (subsidiary 2 years).
8. Temurila (Private party from PT KEM Indonesia), demanded 3 years in prison and a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days imprisonment).
9. Miki Mahfud (Private party from PT KEM Indonesia), demanded 3 years in prison and a Rp 250 million fine (subsidiary 90 days imprisonment).