Indonesia’s anti-graft agency has arrested Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer alongside 13 others in a sweeping investigation into alleged extortion and irregularities in the issuance of workplace safety permits.
Immanuel, a prominent member of President Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, is the first member of Prabowo’s cabinet to be detained on corruption allegations since the president took office in October.
Deputy head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Fitroh Rohcahyanto, confirmed the arrest on Thursday but declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of ongoing investigations.
It remains unclear whether formal charges have been filed. Efforts to reach Immanuel’s legal representatives were unsuccessful as of press time.
Speaking to reporters, Manpower Minister Yassierli described the case as “a huge blow” to the ministry, revealing that Immanuel had already signed a statement pledging to resign if found guilty. He also vowed urgent reforms to tighten oversight of permit issuance.
Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi assured that Immanuel would be immediately replaced if convicted.
The scandal strikes at the heart of President Prabowo’s anti-corruption campaign, a key plank of his administration’s reform agenda.
Indonesia continues to struggle with graft; in 2024, Transparency International ranked the country 99th out of 180 on its global Corruption Perceptions Index.
