Chairman of the Confederation of Congress of Indonesian Unions Alliance (KASBI), Sunarno, described the arrest of Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer in a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as both “deeply concerning” and a “hard slap” to the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

According to Sunarno, the case has exposed the harsh reality that collusion, corruption, and nepotism within Indonesia’s labor sector are not only real but have persisted massively for years at various levels.

“The KPK has opened the eyes of workers and the general public that these practices are systemic and widespread,” he said in a statement on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

He emphasized that such conditions have long fueled recurring labor disputes, including arbitrary dismissals, wage cuts, forced transfers, union busting, strikes, and mass protests − issues that continue to dominate workers’ daily struggles and media headlines.

Sunarno acknowledged that Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel, had gained attention in recent months for his fiery statements and tough stance against exploitative employers. Despite occasionally making blunders due to a lack of deep understanding of labor law, Ebenezer had been perceived as outspoken in defending workers.

“The labor sector is a hard, heated, and grueling world − full of sweat and tears. Officials from the Ministry of Manpower, labor mediators, inspectors, lawmakers, and industrial relations courts should serve as guardians of justice, not as an additional burden for workers,” Sunarno said.

He stressed that labor disputes are a long and winding struggle to test both justice and the integrity of officials. Since the labor world is rife with bargaining, negotiations, and backroom deals, Sunarno warned that any official lacking moral integrity would eventually end up serving capitalist-oligarchic interests.

He said the arrest is a reminder to officials of their duty to remain committed to serving the people, especially workers. He recalled Abraham Lincoln’s famous adage: “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

“Let this be a lesson,” Sunarno concluded. “Workers must stay strong and continue fighting for truth and real justice until victory is achieved.”

As previously reported, the KPK arrested Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer in a late-night graft sting operation on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

KPK has yet to disclose the alleged corruption scheme involving Noel. If confirmed, he would be the latest high-ranking government official to be implicated in graft under Prabowo-Gibran administration.