Jakarta. A defendant in a corruption case involving workplace safety certification at Indonesia’s labor ministry told a court that part of the illicit proceeds was used to support the 2024 legislative campaign of then manpower minister Ida Fauziyah.

The statement was made by Irvian Bobby Mahendro during a hearing at the Jakarta anti-corruption court on Wednesday, as prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) questioned him over the use of funds obtained from alleged extortion tied to occupational safety and health certification, known locally as K3.

Irvian said the money, collected from companies seeking K3 certification, was used for personal purposes, to meet demands from superiors at the Manpower Ministry, and to help finance political activities.

“There were several events in 2024 where I was asked to cover activities in the minister’s electoral district in South Jakarta,” Irvian told the panel of judges, adding that at least three such events were funded.

He said Ida Fauziyah was running as a legislative candidate in Jakarta II, a constituency covering Central Jakarta, South Jakarta and overseas voters, and that he was instructed to assist with campaign-related activities.

According to Irvian, each event cost around Rp 200 million ($11,500), with four to five activities funded over the course of the year, bringing the total to roughly Rp 1 billion.

Prosecutors allege that the broader scheme generated Rp 6.5 billion through the extortion of companies seeking certification services.

The case also implicates former deputy manpower minister Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel, along with Irvian and nine other defendants. Noel is accused of receiving Rp 70 million in personal gains, as well as gratuities totaling Rp 3.3 billion and a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle.

The alleged scheme involves officials and staff within the ministry’s Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Development, as well as private sector actors suspected of participating in the extortion.

Proceedings in the case are ongoing at the Jakarta anti-corruption court, as investigators continue to examine the flow of funds and potential involvement of other parties.

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