Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Wearing a bright orange detainee vest and with his hands cuffed, Vice Manpower Minister Immanuel "Noel" Ebenezer broke down in tears on Friday as anti-corruption officials led him to a press conference in Jakarta.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Ebenezer and 10 others as suspects in an alleged extortion scheme involving occupational safety and health (K3) certification at the Manpower Ministry. He was arrested on Thursday in a sting operation alongside ministry officials and private-sector executives.

KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto said investigators had found at least two pieces of evidence to justify upgrading the case to a full investigation. "We have now named 11 individuals as suspects," he told reporters at the agency's headquarters in South Jakarta.

During the raid, authorities also seized 22 luxury vehicles, including 15 cars and seven motorcycles. The arrests mark the first major corruption scandal to hit President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet since he took office last October.

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said Prabowo respected the KPK's process and was not caught off guard by the arrest. "The president is not surprised," Prasetyo said on Thursday. "He respects the legal process and allows it to take its course."

Prasetyo added that Ebenezer would be replaced if formally indicted but praised his past performance, particularly in handling mass layoffs earlier this year at bankrupt textile giant Sritex. "His performance at the ministry was actually commendable," he said.

Still, Prabowo reiterated that eradicating corruption is a core agenda of his government. The president has warned ministers and top officials that his administration takes a zero-tolerance stance toward graft.

The Manpower Ministry has sought to reassure the public that services will continue without disruption. Manpower Minister Yassierli said the government works with around 1,000 third-party providers to issue safety and health certificates, all under ministry oversight.

"We have asked officials to sign an integrity pact with these service providers," Yassierli said, adding that employees who had stayed in the same position for more than four years were being rotated. "If any certification firms refuse to sign the integrity pact, their licenses will be revoked."

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/vice-manpower-minister-cries-in-handcuffs-after-graft-arres