"Yes, he (Ebenezer) has not been removed from office yet, as the president is waiting for official explanations from KPK. This is how it should work," State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said on Friday.
Hadi affirmed that the president will take appropriate action, possibly including officially removing Ebenezer from the Cabinet, once KPK clarifies his legal status.
He also noted that Prabowo is not preparing to appoint a new deputy manpower minister to replace Ebenezer, as Manpower Minister Yassierli remains in office.
KPK arrested Ebenezer on Thursday on suspicion of extorting companies in the workplace safety certification process.
According to KPK Deputy Chair Fitroh Rohcahyanto, 13 other individuals were arrested along with the deputy minister. The anti-graft agency has 24 hours after the arrests to determine their legal status.
Hadi said on Thursday that President Prabowo was "disappointed" by Ebenezer's arrest amid the government's anti-corruption crusade. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the president respects KPK's procedures and welcomes the legal process.
On Thursday afternoon, KPK announced it had confiscated 21 vehicles — 15 cars and 6 motorcycles — in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, Minister Yassierli reiterated his ministry's zero-tolerance stance on corruption following the arrest of his deputy.
"As instructed by President Prabowo, there must be no tolerance toward corrupt actions," he told a press conference hours after the arrest.
Related news: Zero tolerance to corruption: Manpower minister after deputy's arrest
Related news: Indonesia's Deputy Minister Ebenezer arrested in extortion case
Translator: Genta Tenri M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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