A high-level corruption scandal erupted just 10 months after the new administration was launched in Indonesia. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized a "war on corruption" upon taking office. This time, he immediately dismissed the Vice Minister of Labor, who was arrested on bribery charges, in an effort to restore discipline.
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reported that 11 people, including Vice Minister of Labor Immanuel Ebenezer (48), were arrested on bribery charges on the night of the 20th, according to local media Jakarta Globe. Vice Minister Ebenezer is accused of receiving hundreds of millions of won in kickbacks in exchange for issuing industrial safety and health (K3) certificates.
According to KPK, he was implicated in a bribery scheme worth 5.5 billion rupiah (approximately 450 million won) that began in 2021. Investigations revealed that he directly took over 3 billion rupiah (approximately 250 million won) in December of last year. KPK seized luxury vehicles and cash, including a Japanese Nissan GTR sports car and two Italian Ducati motorcycles, as evidence during a raid.
President Prabowo signed a presidential decree dismissing him on the night of the 22nd, just hours after KPK officially designated Ebenezer as a suspect in the corruption case. Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of State Secretary, noted, "The president does not protect subordinates involved in corruption," adding, "I hope this incident serves as a lesson for all cabinet members and public officials."
The recently dismissed Vice Minister Ebenezer is a politician from the "street fighter" background. He gained notoriety for frequently participating in labor union rallies and visiting factories without prior notice to publicly criticize employers, showing a pro-labor orientation. However, it was revealed that his wealth nearly quadrupled within less than three years of taking office.
Immediately after being designated as a suspect, he was seen in handcuffs at the KPK office, shedding tears. Ebenezer apologized to President Prabowo, his family, and all Indonesian citizens, while denying the charges. He pleaded, "Please pray that I may receive a pardon from President Prabowo."
This incident has once again highlighted Indonesia's chronic corruption problem, the largest economy in Southeast Asia. In the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International (TI), Indonesia ranked 99th among 180 countries.
Experts from Jakarta Globe point out that mere punishment will not break the cycle of corruption. Niki Farizal, a researcher at the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in an interview with Jakarta Globe, "While it is commendable that the law is applied without exception, if there are only punishments without fundamental reforms, such cases will continue to occur."