Excited To Get OTT KPK, This Is The Profile Of Wamenaker Immanuel Ebenezer

Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (ANTARA)

YOGYAKARTA - The name of the Deputy Minister of Manpower (Wamenaker) Immanuel Ebenezer or who is familiarly called Noel was highlighted by the public after being caught in a hand arrest operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Noel became the first official in the Red and White Cabinet under President Prabowo Subianto's administration to be caught in a silent operation by the KPK.

Deputy Chairperson of the KPK, Fitroh Rohcahyanto said Noel had been taken to the KPK building for further investigation. The arrests were made in Jakarta on Wednesday Night, August 20.

Fitroh revealed that the OTT was related to the alleged extortion case. Immanuel Ebenezer is suspected of extorting a number of companies related to the process of managing the Work Safety and Health certification (K3).

"The export of companies related to the management of K3 certification," said Fitroh in a written statement, Thursday, August 21.

Although the KPK has not announced the details of the extortion case that ensnared him, Noel's status as Wamenaker has made this case attract public attention. Noel's political career is indeed full of dynamics, from a volunteer activist, then becoming a BUMN commissioner, until finally sitting in the deputy ministerial seat, along with his full profile.

Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan or Noel was born in Riau on July 22, 1975. He studied higher education at Satya Negara Indonesia University and earned a social undergraduate degree in 2004.

The name Noel became widely known to the public when he became the Chairman of the Jokowi Mania Volunteers (Joman). This volunteer organization is known as a supporter of the militants Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Ma'ruf Amin in the 2019 Presidential Election.

His presence as a volunteer driving force made Noel often appear in the media and became one of the quite vocal volunteer figures in supporting President Jokowi's policies at that time.

In 2021, Noel's career had penetrated the corporate world when SOE Minister Erick Thohir appointed him as President Commissioner of PT Mega Eltra, a subsidiary of PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero). However, his term did not last long. In March 2022, Noel was dismissed from that position.

The decision is allegedly related to his involvement as a witness in the trial of the former FPI General Secretary, Munarman. During the trial, Noel stated that Munarman was not a terrorist, a statement that caused controversy in the community.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Noel stole the show again. Initially, he brought Joman volunteers to support Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate. This support even gave birth to a group of Ganjar Mania volunteers, even though at that time PDIP had not officially announced its presidential candidate.

However, Noel's political stance changed. He withdrew his support for Ganjar and moved to Prabowo Subianto as a presidential candidate in 2024. Especially after Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son, was elected as a vice presidential candidate to accompany Prabowo.

Noel then dissolved Ganjar Mania and founded Prabowo Mania 08, a volunteer group that actively won the Prabowo-Gibran pair in the 2024 presidential election.

Not stopping at the volunteer movement, Noel also established his political steps by joining the Gerindra Party. He ran as a legislative candidate (caleg) in the 2024 Legislative Election from the electoral district (dapil) of North Kalimantan. Noel received 29,786 votes, but this number was not enough to deliver him to the seat of the DPR RI.

Despite failing to enter parliament, Noel still has a place in the government. On October 20, 2024, he was officially appointed as Wamenaker to accompany Yassierli. This position is the highest achievement in Noel's political career so far.

Unfortunately, Noel's career journey faced a big wind after being caught by the KPK OTT. The KPK has 1x24 hours to determine Noel's legal status, whether to be upgraded to become a suspect or released.