Beum Removed, Palace Waiting For Wamenaker Noel's Legal Status

Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi said President Prabowo Subianto had not removed Immanuel Ebenezer alias Noel from his position as Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) because the President was still waiting for an official explanation from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Noel was caught in a KPK sting operation (OTT) in Jakarta, Thursday (21/8), on suspicion of extortion in the management of work safety and health certification (K3) in a number of companies.

"Yes, it has not been (dismissed, ed.) is still waiting for an official explanation from the KPK. That is the order, we are waiting for the KPK's decision this afternoon," said Prasetyo Hadi, who is also the spokesman for the President of the Republic of Indonesia, to reporters quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 22.

Pras, Prasetyo Hadi's popular greeting, said that when the KPK had given an official explanation regarding Noel's arrest, there would only be a follow-up to Noel's status in the Red and White Cabinet.

He also said that the President had not yet prepared a replacement for Noel, who is currently still arrested and detained by the KPK.

"There is no replacement (prepared, red.), there are still ministers," said Pras referring to the Minister of Manpower Yassierli.

Noel was arrested and detained by the KPK in the OTT in Jakarta, Thursday, along with 13 other people. The KPK also has 1x24 hours to determine the status of the parties arrested with Wamenaker Noel.

During the arrest operation, the KPK confiscated some cash, 22 luxury four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles belonging to Noel.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the Corruption Eradication Commission announced the status of Wamenaker Noel and 13 other people at a press conference at the KPK Office, Jakarta, Friday afternoon.

On a separate occasion, Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized that there is no tolerance for corrupt behavior.

"In line with President Prabowo's directives that there is no tolerance for corrupt behavior," Yassierli said at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, hours after Noel's arrest.

Yassierli then emphasized that he was ready to deactivate relevant Ministry of Manpower officials who were proven to be involved in alleged corruption which is currently being processed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). "Yes, definitely. From me, echelon 1 officials and below," he said.