Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – A sweeping corruption raid at the Manpower Ministry has drawn national attention, not least because Vice Minister Immanuel Ebenezer is among the 11 suspects. But one relatively unknown figure has now come into the spotlight: Irvian Bobby Mahendro, a mid-level official who allegedly pocketed Rp 69 billion ($4.2 million) in bribes and spent the money on at least 18 luxury vehicles, properties, and personal indulgences.
According to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Irvian is suspected of being the mastermind behind a scheme in the ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Service (K3). Between 2019 and 2024, he and colleagues are accused of inflating fees for mandatory work safety certificates, extorting companies and individuals who applied through the ministry's system.
During Friday's press briefing, KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto revealed that investigators had seized 15 luxury cars and seven motorcycles during the raids. Of the 22 vehicles confiscated, 18 belong to Irvian.
"I.B.M. [Irvian Bobby Mahendro] allegedly received Rp 69 billion in payments through intermediaries. The funds were spent on shopping sprees, entertainment, home purchases, and distributed among colleagues at the ministry," Setyo said.
Fees inflated 20-fold
Irvian, who currently serves as coordinator of K3 services, allegedly went further: he acquired shares in at least three private consulting firms responsible for K3 certification, despite clear regulations requiring independence and impartiality.
The official fee for K3 certification is set at Rp 275,000 ($17). But according to the KPK, applicants were forced to pay up to Rp 6 million ($370) per certificate.
"That amount is more than twice the average monthly minimum wage," Setyo said. "Applicants were threatened that their requests would not be processed unless they complied with the inflated fees."
Who are the suspects?
The KPK has named 11 suspects, including nine ministry officials. The list includes Vice Minister Immanuel Ebenezer and several high-ranking bureaucrats.
1. Irvian Bobby Mahendro – K3 Coordinator for Individual and Corporate Applicants
2. Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan – Vice Minister of Manpower
3. Gerry Aditya Herwanto Putra – Coordinator for Assessment and Evaluation of K3 Competence
4. Subhan – K3 Deputy Coordinator, Occupational Safety
5. Anitasari Kusumawati – K3 Deputy Coordinator, Occupational Health
6. Fahrurozi – Director General of Labor Supervision and K3
7. Hery Sutanto – Director of Organizational Management
8. Sekarsari Kartika Putri – Deputy K3 Coordinator
9. Supriadi – Manpower Ministry (position not disclosed)
10. Temurila – Employee of a private K3 service provider
11. Miki Mahfud – Employee of a private K3 service provider
Among them, Director General Fahrurozi is the second-highest-ranking official. Prosecutors allege he received Rp 50 million ($3,100) in weekly payments from 2021 to 2024 as part of the K3 scheme.
What is K3?
Under Government Regulation No. 50/2012, companies employing at least 100 people or operating in high-risk sectors are required to implement safety and health standards. Compliance is proven through K3 certification from the Manpower Ministry.
To ensure impartiality, the ministry appoints independent third-party vendors to conduct assessments and audits. Approximately 1,000 vendors are currently registered, covering industries ranging from heavy machinery and offshore drilling to high-rise maintenance and metal smelting.
Failure to comply can result in administrative sanctions or business closures.
But despite this system, the KPK investigation has revealed widespread abuse. Some ministry officials allegedly colluded with vendors to inflate fees and demand kickbacks. At least one official, investigators found, owned shares in firms tasked with vetting applicants – a clear conflict of interest.
First corruption scandal for Prabowo administration
This is the first major corruption scandal to strike President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet. Since taking office last October, Prabowo has repeatedly vowed zero tolerance for corruption, calling it the single greatest obstacle preventing Indonesia from reaching its full potential as a developed nation.
In one fiery speech, he even floated the idea of building a maximum-security prison for graft convicts on a remote island.
The scandal is especially embarrassing for Vice Minister Immanuel Ebenezer, one of Prabowo's appointees, whose personal wealth reportedly ballooned from Rp 4.8 billion to Rp 17.6 billion ($1.07 million) in just three years. Known for his fiery style, Immanuel often joined labor protests, staged surprise inspections, and publicly castigated employers. Ironically, he once urged Prabowo to prepare firing squads for corrupt officials – a statement that has resurfaced following his arrest.
Not an isolated case
The K3 case is the second major scandal at the Manpower Ministry in recent years.
Last month, the KPK detained four suspects in a bribery and extortion scheme involving foreign worker permits after a years-long investigation. Officials allegedly stalled or withheld permits until applicants made payments through intermediaries.
The scheme, allegedly in operation since 2019, generated at least Rp 53 billion ($3.2 million). Among the suspects are multiple former and current directors in charge of foreign worker permits.
KPK Chairman Setyo said the commission is determined to dismantle entrenched bribery practices within the ministry, which has long been plagued by scandals in labor regulation and licensing.
– Muhammad Aulia Rahman and Yustinus Paat contributed to this story.