Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel "Noel" Ebenezer in a sting operation over alleged extortion linked to workplace safety certification, the agency said Thursday.

KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the arrest, saying investigators were pursuing suspicions of “extortion against a company in relation to the processing of occupational safety and health (K3) certification.” He declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing probe.

Ebenezer, along with 10 other individuals, was detained in the late Wednesday operation. Under Indonesian law, the KPK has 24 hours to interrogate the suspects before deciding on their legal status, which will be announced in a press conference.

The arrest marks the fifth sting operation by the anti-graft body in 2025.

Immanuel Ebenezer Profile
Ebenezer, 50, was appointed deputy minister of manpower in October 2024 by President Prabowo Subianto. His appointment followed a political career that began with his role as chairman of Jokowi Mania (JoMan), a volunteer group that backed former president Joko Widodo during the 2019 election.

A graduate of Universitas Satya Negara Indonesia with a degree in social sciences, Ebenezer has had a colorful trajectory in Indonesian politics and business. He served as president commissioner of state-owned company Mega Eltra between 2021 and 2022 and previously led grassroots movements supporting different presidential candidates, including Ganjar Pranowo before eventually shifting allegiance to Prabowo.

His personal story has also drawn public attention. In 2016, prior to his political prominence, Ebenezer worked briefly as an online motorcycle taxi driver, an anecdote he shared during an official visit to a ride-hailing company in 2024.

If proven, the allegations against him would deal a blow to Prabowo’s cabinet less than a year into office.