The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer as a suspect in the case of extortion in the processing of Occupational Safety and Health certificates. Photo: Antara.
JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM– The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially named Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel) and 10 others as suspects in an alleged extortion scheme involving the issuance of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates within the Ministry of Manpower.
The announcement was delivered by KPK Chair Setyo Budiyanto during a press conference at the Merah Putih Building on Friday (Aug 22).
According to Setyo, investigators have traced financial flows amounting to IDR 81 billion connected to the extortion scheme. Of that amount, Noel allegedly received IDR 3 billion in December 2024, around two months after being sworn in as Deputy Minister.
“KPK has officially detained the suspects for an initial 20 days, starting from August 22 to September 10, 2025,” Setyo said. Other suspects include current and former officials in the K3 supervisory unit as well as private parties allegedly acting as fund collectors.
Modus Operandi & Roles
The extortion scheme is believed to have been running since 2019, targeting companies seeking K3 certification through licensed K3 service providers (PJK3). Noel—appointed in October 2024—was allegedly aware of the scheme and demanded a share of the proceeds, according to KPK’s findings.
In addition to billions of rupiah in cash, investigators also secured other evidence, which was presented during the press briefing.
Noel, however, denied being caught in a sting operation. “I was not arrested in an OTT (hand-catch operation),” he told reporters briefly while being escorted to the detention car at the KPK headquarters.
Next Steps
KPK confirmed that the legal process against the suspects will continue in accordance with procedure—ranging from examining individual roles, tracing assets, to the possibility of naming new suspects should further evidence emerge (Wan)