(Jakarta, 25th Comprehensive News) The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission’s investigation into the Ministry of Manpower corruption case revealed that 11 officials, including the deputy minister, collectively embezzled 81 billion Indonesian rupiah (about RM20.95 million). One mid-level official was the ringleader of the group—he alone received bribes amounting to 69 billion rupiah (about RM17.84 million), which he used to buy at least 18 luxury cars, real estate, and more.
According to the Jakarta Globe, the anti-corruption commission found that these 11 suspects abused their power and deliberately inflated the fees for Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certification by 20 times between 2019 and 2024. The official fee for K3 certification is 275,000 rupiah, but they forced companies or individuals applying for certification to pay 6 million rupiah per certificate, or the application would be delayed, obstructed, or the certificate would not be issued.
Commission chairman Setyo said at a press conference on Friday (August 22) that investigations uncovered the mastermind as Irvian Bobby Mahendro, who was the coordinator in charge of K3 applications for individuals and companies. In addition to accepting 69 billion rupiah in bribes through intermediaries, he also acquired shares in at least three private consulting firms handling K3 certification, violating regulations which require certification processes to be independent and impartial.
Indonesian law mandates that companies hiring at least 100 employees or operating in high-risk sectors such as construction and mining must meet certain safety and health standards. The K3 certification issued by the Ministry of Manpower serves as proof of compliance. To ensure fairness, the ministry assigns independent third-party providers for assessment and audit. Companies that fail to meet standards or lack K3 certification face administrative penalties and could be shut down.
The anti-corruption commission acted last Wednesday (20th), arresting all 11. The highest-ranking official is Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer. Indonesian media reported that his personal wealth soared from 480 million rupiah to 1.76 billion rupiah in just three years.
Setyo added that last December—just two months after Immanuel took office as deputy minister—he received 300 million rupiah and a luxury Ducati motorcycle as a bribe.
Immanuel, along with the other 10 suspects, was escorted to Friday’s press conference by the anti-corruption commission, hanging his head and sobbing throughout. He also publicly apologized to Indonesian President Prabowo and the public that day, expressing hope for presidential pardon. He is a member of the Great Indonesia Movement Party led by Prabowo.
This is the first corruption scandal to involve a cabinet member since Prabowo’s administration was formed, drawing widespread attention. Prabowo has signed an executive order dismissing Immanuel and issued a stern warning to his cabinet that he will strictly combat corruption.
Since taking office last October, Prabowo has repeatedly pledged zero tolerance for corruption, calling corruption the biggest obstacle to Indonesia realizing its full potential.
According to The Jakarta Post, deputy head of the anti-corruption commission’s enforcement team, Arthur, said authorities are charging the 11 suspects under extortion clauses of the 2001 Anti-Corruption Law rather than bribery, since the K3 applicants had already fulfilled all the requirements but were coerced to pay exorbitant fees for certification.
According to the Jakarta Globe, the anti-corruption commission found that these 11 suspects abused their power and deliberately inflated the fees for Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certification by 20 times between 2019 and 2024. The official fee for K3 certification is 275,000 rupiah, but they forced companies or individuals applying for certification to pay 6 million rupiah per certificate, or the application would be delayed, obstructed, or the certificate would not be issued.
Commission chairman Setyo said at a press conference on Friday (August 22) that investigations uncovered the mastermind as Irvian Bobby Mahendro, who was the coordinator in charge of K3 applications for individuals and companies. In addition to accepting 69 billion rupiah in bribes through intermediaries, he also acquired shares in at least three private consulting firms handling K3 certification, violating regulations which require certification processes to be independent and impartial.
Indonesian law mandates that companies hiring at least 100 employees or operating in high-risk sectors such as construction and mining must meet certain safety and health standards. The K3 certification issued by the Ministry of Manpower serves as proof of compliance. To ensure fairness, the ministry assigns independent third-party providers for assessment and audit. Companies that fail to meet standards or lack K3 certification face administrative penalties and could be shut down.
The anti-corruption commission acted last Wednesday (20th), arresting all 11. The highest-ranking official is Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer. Indonesian media reported that his personal wealth soared from 480 million rupiah to 1.76 billion rupiah in just three years.
Setyo added that last December—just two months after Immanuel took office as deputy minister—he received 300 million rupiah and a luxury Ducati motorcycle as a bribe.
Immanuel, along with the other 10 suspects, was escorted to Friday’s press conference by the anti-corruption commission, hanging his head and sobbing throughout. He also publicly apologized to Indonesian President Prabowo and the public that day, expressing hope for presidential pardon. He is a member of the Great Indonesia Movement Party led by Prabowo.
This is the first corruption scandal to involve a cabinet member since Prabowo’s administration was formed, drawing widespread attention. Prabowo has signed an executive order dismissing Immanuel and issued a stern warning to his cabinet that he will strictly combat corruption.
Since taking office last October, Prabowo has repeatedly pledged zero tolerance for corruption, calling corruption the biggest obstacle to Indonesia realizing its full potential.
According to The Jakarta Post, deputy head of the anti-corruption commission’s enforcement team, Arthur, said authorities are charging the 11 suspects under extortion clauses of the 2001 Anti-Corruption Law rather than bribery, since the K3 applicants had already fulfilled all the requirements but were coerced to pay exorbitant fees for certification.