KPK Detains Deputy Manpower Minister in Alleged Corruption Case, the First in Prabowo Cabinet
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — The Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, has detained Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer in a sting operation on Thursday, Aug 21, 2025, in Jakarta. The detention is tied to an alleged extortion case, making him the first member of President Prabowo Subianto’s cabinet to be arrested on suspicion of corruption.
Deputy Chairman of KPK Fitroh Rohcayanto said the alleged extortion involved companies handling occupational safety and health (K3) certification. “This is related to alleged extortion of companies in the processing of K3 certification,” Fitroh told reporters on Thursday.
He explained that the operation had started on Wednesday evening, though he did not disclose details of how many people were detained along with the deputy minister, widely known by his nickname Noel. “He was arrested in Jakarta, and he is now at the KPK headquarters,” Fitroh said.
The anti-graft agency is expected to announce Ebenezer’s legal status within 24 hours. Under KPK procedures, investigators have one day to determine whether to elevate his case to full suspect status.
First Arrest of Prabowo Cabinet
The arrest represents a politically significant development as it is the first time a senior official from Prabowo’s cabinet has been detained in an alleged corruption case. President Prabowo, who took office less than a year ago, has repeatedly pledged to uphold clean governance and strengthen law enforcement.
The president has made the prevention and eradication of corruption a top priority for his five-year agenda, as outlined in Asta Cita, his eight-point mission statement for Indonesia’s development.
In his state of the union address last Saturday, President Prabowo Subianto underscored corruption as the nation’s gravest challenge, saying it permeated “every echelon of our bureaucracy” and extended across state institutions and state-owned enterprises.
“After 299 days of leading the executive branch, I have seen the scale of the misconduct within our government. This is not good, but it must be reported honestly to the representatives of the Indonesian people,” Prabowo said.
He reminded lawmakers that during his inauguration he had urged the nation to face its flaws openly, calling it the only way to fix them. “I have been sworn to uphold the Constitution of our Republic,” he added. “For that reason, I have no choice but to lead the fight against corruption and misconduct in all executive and government institutions.”
Immanuel Ebenezer was a prominent activist during the 1998 reform movement and previously led Jokowi Mania (Joman), a volunteer group supporting former president Joko Widodo. His appointment as Deputy Manpower Minister in Prabowo’s administration was seen as a nod to his political activism and loyalty.
The KPK has not yet explained the full construction of the case or whether other ministry officials or private sector representatives were involved. Updates will be announced as investigations progress.
What K3 Certification Means
K3 certification is designed to ensure safe workplaces and prevent accidents and occupational diseases. It includes measures such as the use of protective equipment, enforcement of standard operating procedures, and safety training programs. K3 also covers the health aspects of workers, including regular medical checkups, risk management for workplace hazards, and access to healthcare facilities.
The KPK said it would release more details about the alleged scheme in due course, including the amount of money involved and whether companies were forced to pay to expedite certification approvals.
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