Immanuel Ebenezer

Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan (born 22 July 1975), commonly known as Noel, is an Indonesian politician and activist. He served as the Deputy Minister of Manpower from October 2024 until his dismissal in August 2025, following his arrest by the Corruption Eradication Commission on suspicion of bribery in a case involving extortion related to Occupational Safety and Health (K3) certification. He was a member of the Gerindra until 2025.

Early Life and Education

Gerungan was born in Riau on 22 July 1975. He earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences from Satya Negara Indonesia University in South Jakarta in 2004.

Career

Political Activism

Gerungan rose to prominence as a leader of political volunteer groups. He chaired "Jokowi Mania" (JoMan), a volunteer group supporting Joko Widodo during the 2019 Indonesian presidential election. Later, he also served as the chair of "Prabowo Subianto Mania," a volunteer group for Prabowo Subianto.

Business and State-Owned Enterprise Role

He served as the Main Commissioner of the state-owned trading company, PT Mega Eltra (a subsidiary of Pupuk Indonesia), from June 2021 until his removal from the position on 23 March 2022. In February 2022, he testified as a mitigating witness in the terrorism trial of Munarman at the East Jakarta District Court.

Vice Minister of Manpower

Gerungan was appointed Vice Minister of Manpower on 21 October 2024, serving under Minister Yassierli in the Prabowo administration.

Controversies

#KaburAjaDulu Remarks

On 17 February 2025, while serving as Vice Minister, Gerungan was asked about the viral social media hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (Just Run Away First), which reflected public anxiety over economic conditions. He responded, "If you want to run away, just run away. If necessary, don't come back." The remark was widely criticized by netizens and politicians as lacking empathy and misunderstanding public sentiment.

Arrest and Corruption Allegations

On 21 August 2025, the Corruption Eradication Commission arrested Gerungan in a sting operation (operasi tangkap tangan or OTT) on suspicion of extortion related to the certification process for Occupational Safety and Health (Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja or K3). During the operation, the KPK seized cash, dozens of cars, and Ducati motorcycles.

On 22 August 2025, the KPK named Gerungan and ten others as suspects in the case. Following the KPK's announcement, President Prabowo Subianto dismissed Gerungan from his position as Vice Minister of Manpower on the same day.

Electoral History