Prabowo Faces First Major Corruption Scandal as Deputy Minister Arrested in Kickbacks Case

President Prabowo Subianto’s campaign promise to eradicate corruption has been thrown into sharp relief after the arrest of one of his own deputies, igniting speculation over the future of his sprawling cabinet.

Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer was detained on August 22 by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of receiving kickbacks and engaging in extortion linked to workplace safety certifications. Within hours of his arrest, Prabowo issued a presidential decree dismissing him — a move designed to demonstrate zero tolerance.

“From the beginning, the president always reminded us to never, ever engage in corruption,” presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi told reporters. “The swift dismissal shows he will not defend subordinates caught in wrongdoing.”

Alleged Kickbacks and Lavish Assets

Investigators allege that Immanuel was caught red-handed extorting companies by inflating fees for workplace safety inspections, known locally as K3 certifications. While the official rate stood at 275,000 rupiah (US$17), workers were forced to pay up to 6 million rupiah (US$368) if they wanted applications processed without delays.

According to KPK chairman Setyo Budiyanto, the scheme diverted as much as 10 billion rupiah (US$612,000) in illicit funds to at least 10 individuals, including Immanuel. In December 2024 alone, Immanuel allegedly pocketed 3 billion rupiah (US$183,948).

The corruption watchdog said the practice had been entrenched in the manpower ministry since 2019, but instead of ending it, Immanuel “took part and even demanded” his share. Authorities later seized dozens of cars and a Ducati motorbike from his residence, underscoring the scale of illicit gains.

If convicted, Immanuel faces between four years and life in prison under Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws.

A Ride-Hailing Driver Turned Politician

Immanuel’s political rise was as unusual as his downfall was swift. Once a ride-hailing driver, he entered politics by organizing a pro-Joko Widodo support group ahead of the 2019 election. His appointment as deputy minister in Prabowo’s cabinet symbolized the delicate balancing act of accommodating allies and rivals across Indonesia’s fractured political landscape.

A day after his arrest, Immanuel apologized publicly to the president and appealed for amnesty, a plea that observers say is unlikely to sway Prabowo or the courts.

Corruption’s Persistent Grip

Indonesia has long struggled with endemic graft. Seven ministers were ensnared in corruption scandals during Widodo’s decade-long presidency, and watchdogs have warned that Prabowo’s 110-member “jumbo cabinet” is particularly vulnerable given its size and political compromises.

“From the start, the quality of the cabinet was questionable, with many names chosen primarily for political accommodation,” said Djayadi Hanan, executive director of the Indonesia Survey Institute. “There were already problematic names, such as Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie, linked to the online gambling scandal.”

Though Budi has denied wrongdoing and avoided prosecution, prosecutors earlier this year named him as a beneficiary of illegal gambling proceeds — a revelation that fueled criticism of the cabinet’s integrity.

Reshuffle Rumors and Political Tensions

The scandal has sparked speculation of a cabinet reshuffle, particularly over the fate of Widodo loyalists still serving under Prabowo. Analysts say the president may use the opportunity to tighten his grip and weaken the lingering influence of his predecessor.

Firman Noor, a political researcher with the National Research and Innovation Agency, noted that “it is an open secret there is rivalry between Prabowo and Jokowi’s camps.” He added that any attempt to sideline Widodo’s allies “must be handled carefully, or it could backfire.”

For now, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi has said only that Immanuel’s position may be filled on an interim basis, with no certainty of a full reshuffle.

Testing Prabowo’s Pledge

Just days before the scandal broke, Prabowo used his first state of the nation address to warn of corruption at every level of government, declaring it a “major problem” threatening Indonesia’s future.

“I’m increasingly aware of the magnitude of our challenges and the extent of corruption in our bureaucracy,” he told lawmakers on August 15.

The arrest of Immanuel Ebenezer — the first member of Prabowo’s government to be named a corruption suspect — is now widely seen as a defining test of whether those words will translate into action.

As political analyst Djayadi Hanan put it, “Prabowo must use this moment to show that his stance on corruption is not just rhetorical. His response will shape both his credibility and his legacy.”