August 25, 2025 | 02:40 am
Indonesia's Minister of Housing and Settlement Area Maruarar Sirait mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto's administration will not hesitate to crack down on deceitful behavior involving corruption.
"Even members of the cabinet, if they are not righteous, will be removed," said the man who is familiarly known as Ara at the Bung Hatta Cemetery Park in South Jakarta, on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
Since assuming the presidency, Prabowo has dismissed one cabinet member implicated in corruption, namely Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer. Prabowo dismissed Immanuel after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a corruption suspect.
Ara mentioned that the crackdown on corruption during the Prabowo era is very strict and claimed that the statement is a fact that he can be held accountable for. "Whether it is a businessman, a former general, or anyone else involved in corruption, they will be removed. So, I think we are already on the right track," said the Gerindra Party politician.
According to Ara, the spirit of eradicating corruption is not easy. He cited the risk of resistance within his ministry from those who are unhappy with the handling of corruption. Nevertheless, Ara emphasized that he will adhere to Prabowo's orders to maintain integrity as the president's assistant. "Please pray that what we are doing will not cease," Ara said.
Alleged Corruption Case of Immanuel Ebenezer
The KPK arrested Immanuel for alleged extortion in issuing occupational safety and health certifications. From the sting operation, the anti-corruption commission also seized cars and motorcycles belonging to the Chairman of Prabowo Mania 08. "There is definitely money, there are dozens of cars, and there is a Ducati motorcycle," said KPK Vice Chair Fitroh Cahyanto on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
Noel, as he is familiarly known, is known as an activist and cadre of the Gerindra Party. His political career gained prominence when he became the Chairman of Jokowi Mania Nusantara or Joman. He provided support to Jokowi in the 2019 Presidential Election (Pilpres).
In the 2024 Presidential Election, Noel, who was the Chairman of JoMan, directed his supporters to endorse Ganjar Pranowo, who was nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. However, Noel changed his decision and redirected his support to Prabowo Subianto.
Born in Riau on July 22, 1975, he then became the Chairman of Prabowo Mania, a network of volunteers actively supporting the Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair in the 2024 Presidential Election. After Prabowo-Gibran won the 2024 Presidential Election, Noel was inaugurated as the Deputy Minister of Manpower in the Merah Putih cabinet of the Prabowo administration.
Nine years earlier, Noel admitted to once being an online motorcycle taxi driver. "I used to be a motorcycle taxi driver in 2016, and my child also became a motorcycle taxi driver. When registering as a motorcycle taxi driver, my marriage certificate was used as collateral. As for my child, the diploma was used as collateral to the company," Noel said in a dialogue with motorcycle taxi drivers at the Grab office in Jakarta, on Friday, November 8, 2024.
As a motorcycle taxi driver, Noel claimed to be familiar with crowded areas while roaming around Jakarta. This area is commonly known as a 'gacor' or high-demand order area. "I used to hang out in Tanjung Barat, but if I wanted to get a lot of orders, I would go to the center, to Grand Indonesia. So if my fellow motorcycle taxi drivers receive a few orders, it means they are not stationed in the high-demand area," he said.
He also motivated motorcycle taxi drivers not to be pessimistic and to continue to have dreams. According to him, no one knows what the future holds for people. "Don't be pessimistic, keep the spirit because no one knows what the future holds. I used to be a motorcycle taxi driver, but now President Prabowo (Subianto) trusts me to be the Deputy Minister of Manpower," he said.
Eka Yudha contributed to writing this article.
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