The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology\nfor the 2019\u20132024 period, Nadiem Makarim, has unexpectedly invoked the\nname of Thomas Trikasih Lembong, known as Tom Lembong, in his defence\nplea. Nadiem stated that the legal case against him is part of a long\nseries of criminalisation practices in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Nadiem made these remarks while reading his defence plea during the\ntrial for alleged corruption in the procurement of Chromebook laptops at\nthe Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday\n(2\/6\/2026). He argued that the corruption case involving sugar imports,\nwhich ensnared Tom Lembong (Minister of Trade 2015\u20132016), serves as\nevidence of a pattern of irregular law enforcement. He expressed that he\nis not the first target of what he described as a \u2018criminalisation\ntrain\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018The criminalisation train began long before me. Mr Tom, Ms Ira,\nAmsal, Ibam, and dozens of others who have not been released to this\nday,\u2019 Nadiem told the panel of judges.<\/p>\n
In his defence, Nadiem emphasised that the public outcry regarding\nlegal processes in Indonesia did not originate from the Chromebook\ncorruption case that implicates him. He highlighted how various\nirregular legal cases in the country have now become subjects of\ninternational scrutiny. He also expressed surprise at the massive\nsupport from anti-corruption activists who are simultaneously voicing\nsharp criticism against current law enforcement agencies, describing\nthis phenomenon as a serious alarm for justice in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Nadiem stated that he no longer views this trial merely as an attempt\nto defend himself personally. He feels a moral responsibility to reveal\nwhat is actually happening behind the scenes regarding the law\nenforcement against individuals he claims are \u2018good people\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018God Almighty wants me to stand and read this defence plea not as a\nvictim, but as a witness to what is happening to too many good people in\nIndonesia,\u2019 he asserted.<\/p>\n
Concluding his plea, Nadiem emphasised that the alleged Chromebook\ncorruption case is no longer about injustice against a single\nindividual. He stated that he has fully surrendered himself to the legal\ndecision that will be handed down by the judges.<\/p>\n
\u2018Whether I am imprisoned or not, whether I am impoverished or not,\nthat is in the hands of God and the honourable panel of judges,\u2019 Nadiem\nconcluded.<\/p>\n
During the proceedings, Nadiem Makarim admitted to being an amateur\nin politics and bureaucracy, expressing regret for underestimating\npolitical rituals. He expressed sadness at being accused of being a\nwhite-collar criminal, asserting that there is no evidence of fund flows\nin the Chromebook corruption case. Nadiem faces a prison sentence demand\nof 18 years, though he stated he does not regret his service in the\ngovernment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/in-defence-plea-nadiem-makarim-links-tom-lembong-case-to-criminalisation-1780865455", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }