Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer, on trial for corruption, used a pre-trial hearing to launch a sweeping attack on Indonesia’s anti-graft agency and to theatrically demand the ultimate punishment for himself.
JAKARTA — In a dramatic pre-trial statement that blended defiance, grievance, and performative principle, former Deputy Labour Minister Immanuel “Noel” Ebenezer declared he hoped to be sentenced to death in his ongoing corruption case, framing the demand as proof of his commitment to harsh anti-graft measures.
Standing before the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, January 26, Ebenezer spent the majority of his time not addressing the charges but assailing the credibility of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which arrested him in a 2025 operation.
“The KPK runs con operations,” Ebenezer stated, alleging the agency had framed him. “They are con artists operating from the Red and White Building.” He accused the KPK of misleading him into a meeting, only to name him a suspect, and of fabricating claims that he owned 32 cars and extorted 201 billion Rupiah.
“The question I have is, is the KPK a law enforcement institution or a content creator?” he asked, suggesting the agency was engaged in political spectacle. “They have deceived the president, they have deceived the people.”
A Theatrical Pivot to Principle
Following the barrage of accusations, Ebenezer pivoted to a stark personal demand rooted in his own past rhetoric on corruption.
“My one hope is that I am sentenced to death,” he proclaimed. “Because I am committed to this issue, regarding the death penalty. But if not, sentence me as lightly as possible.”
He framed corruption as originating in falsehood, stating, “Whatever form it takes, the basis of corruption is first and foremost a lie.”
Mixing legal defence with personal resolve, he added, “I am a fighter. Even if today I am like a circus lion, caged, one day I will rise again. Because I believe that God is with me.”
The Charges and the Context
Ebenezer’s theatrical court appearance stands in contrast to the formal charges against him. Prosecutors allege that, both before and during his tenure as Deputy Minister, he was part of a scheme that extorted money from individuals seeking occupational health and safety (K3) certifications. The indictment states the group collectively obtained over 6.5 billion Rupiah, with Ebenezer’s alleged share set at 3 billion Rupiah following his 2024 appointment.
He is further accused of accepting billions in gratuities, including a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle.
The case, which involves several other defendants from the Labour Ministry, is seen as a significant test of Indonesia’s ongoing battle against systemic corruption within government licensing bodies. Ebenezer’s strategy of attacking the KPK’s motives and embracing extreme punishment presents a unique, combative front in that battle, transforming his legal defence into a public, political spectacle.
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