Tangerang — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating corruption in the country to safeguard public trust. He also addressed the graft case involving former Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel), suggesting that the former volunteer figure might have assumed his administration was weak.

“I remind you, but sometimes, yes, human beings falter. Maybe he thought the Government of the Republic of Indonesia was foolish, or that the government I lead was weak, or that the government I now lead could be bribed,” Prabowo said when opening the Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (APKASI) Autonomy Expo 2025 at ICE BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday (Aug. 28).

Prabowo, who also chairs the Gerindra Party, recalled previously stating that he would not protect anyone, including members of his own party, if they were involved in corruption. He stressed that corruption ultimately harms the people.

Not long after Prabowo made that statement at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), House of Representatives (DPR), and Regional Representative Council (DPD) on August 15, 2025, Noel was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). However, Prabowo clarified that Noel had not yet officially become a Gerindra Party cadre.

“Sometimes I get uneasy about my own words. At the MPR on August 15, remember my speech, I said that even if Gerindra members break the law, I won’t protect them. Then, just days later, a Gerindra member was arrested. But he wasn’t a cadre, he hadn’t completed the cadre training. Actually, he’s an interesting person, maybe he just faltered,” Prabowo remarked.

In various speeches, Prabowo has consistently reminded state officials not to engage in corruption. As President of Indonesia, he emphasized that he has taken an oath to uphold the truth and fulfill his responsibilities to the nation and its people.

“My brothers and sisters, I have taken an oath. I will uphold it, I will carry out my duty, because I have sworn before God. I fear the Almighty, and I fear disappointing the Indonesian people,” he stressed.

It was previously reported that Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer (Noel) was named a suspect by the KPK in an alleged extortion case related to the issuance of Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certificates at the Ministry of Manpower. Several of his assets, including luxury cars, have been seized by the KPK as evidence.