By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, popularly known as Noel, after being named a suspect in an extortion case linked to occupational safety and health certification.
The case arose following public reports alleging illegal fees were imposed for the issuance of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates at the Manpower Ministry.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the presidential decree removing Noel was signed on Friday evening.
“We are handing over the entire legal process to be carried out as it should be,” he said in a statement, adding that the administration hoped the case would serve as a lesson to Cabinet members and public officials.
Noel is accused by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) of accepting bribes totalling 3 billion rupiah (around US$185,000) and a luxury motorbike.
KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto said Noel knew about, tolerated, and even extorted money through the scheme, which inflated certification costs from 275,000 rupiah (US$16.8) to as much as 6 million rupiah (US$368) per person.
Companies refusing to pay were reportedly subjected to delays in the issuance of the certificates or outright rejection of their applications.
-- BERNAMA
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