As Munarman's Expert Witness, Immanuel Ebenezer Was Removed From President Commissionaire Position Of Indonesian Fertilizer Subsidiary

Immanuel Ebenezer. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Immanuel Ebenezer has been removed from his position as the main commissioner (Komut) of PT Mega Eltra, a subsidiary of PT Pupuk Indonesia. The dismissal was allegedly related to his presence as an expert witness in the trial of Munarman, a terrorism defendant.

As is known, Immanuel Ebenezer was previously present as an expert witness to lighten the trial of Munarman's terrorism case at the East Jakarta Court, on February 23, 2022.

"That's right, that's right (it has been removed)," Immanuel told VOI, Tuesday, March 23.

The man, who is familiarly called Noel, said that his removal was only ratified later in the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGMS) to be held today, Thursday 24 March.

Noel admitted that he was confused by the reason for his removal from the main commissioner of the BUMN subsidiary. Because, he believes there is no problem with his performance so far.

However, Noel suspects that the reason for his dismissal had something to do with his presence as an expert witness at the trial of the terrorism defendant, Munarman some time ago.

"There is no reason for my dismissal for what reason. I also don't know. Performance, no. Regarding corruption, I'm not corrupt. I also don't use drugs. came in to remove me," he said.

Even so, Noel admitted that he was not disappointed with the decision to be removed from the position of Komut PT Mega Eltra.

"I'm not offended, I'm not disappointed. I won't take any resistance, because I'm not a power-hungry person, a job-hungry person, because integrity can't be paid with a position," he said.

"Whoever shouted and demos fired me, I forgive them. There is not the slightest I hate them," he continued.

For your information, Immanuel Ebenezer was appointed as the President Commissioner of PT Mega Eltra by the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir on June 12, 2021.

Meanwhile, PT Mega Eltra is a subsidiary of a state-owned company, namely PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero). This company is engaged in trading in construction and agency services to the paint industry.

As previously reported, the Red and White Bergerak mass protest asked SOE Minister Erick Thohir to remove Immanuel Ebenezer or Noel as Mega Eltra's Independent Commissioner. Field Coordinator, Marlin Bato said that Noel's status as Munarman's expert witness could not be justified by law.

Marlin said Noel was an official of a state company. In accordance with Law Number 19 of 2003 concerning BUMN and the Minister of BUMN Number 15/MBU/XI/2021. It is expressly stated that a state official is prohibited from being a sympathizer or member, providing direct or indirect support that leads to acts of terrorism.

It is also emphasized in Point 2, that every BUMN is obliged to prevent and take action on the potential for the development of radicalism.

"This effort to demand the dismissal is an effort of a joint struggle against all forms of intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism which has been echoed by the masses of action for years as a joint commitment to safeguarding the state ideology and making everyone aware not to give a gap to the space of the undermining group of the Republic of Indonesia," he said, when met at the Ministry of SOEs building, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, March 14.

Responding to the demands, the Special Staff for the Minister of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga, explained that his party would ask Pupuk Indonesia to immediately evaluate Mega Eltra as a subsidiary of the company.

Furthermore, Arya said it was necessary to see Noel's position in his position as Munarman's expert witness.

"We ask PT Pupuk Indonesia to evaluate it," said Arya.

Arya explained that the appointment and dismissal of commissioners for BUMN subsidiary companies were not carried out by the Ministry of BUMN, but by the parent company concerned, in this case, PT Pupuk Indonesia.

"If these SOEs appoint commissioners, such as Pertamina, we are. But if the subsidiaries appoint their parent companies, such as Mega Eltra, which appoints PT Pupuk. We will ask PT Pupuk to conduct an evaluation as soon as possible," he said.

However, Arya did not promise that this matter would be resolved quickly. Arya explained that if the evaluation results from PT Pupuk had been received, the Ministry of SOEs would immediately take the next step.

"We will evaluate it as soon as possible, we will evaluate it because it was brought by the BUMN, PT Pupuk, not directly to us (the Ministry of BUMN)," he explained.