Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and\nTechnology for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, stated that\nthe development of integrated technology platforms closes loopholes for\ncorruption and state losses, providing more than just access to teaching\nand learning materials.<\/p>\n
While reading his plea (pleidoi) during a session at the Corruption\nCourt of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, he stated that\nthe use of technology enhances the transparency of all budgets and\nactivities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe procurement of laptops is only a small part of the education\ndigitalisation programme. Many may not realise that the more crucial\naspect is that the development of integrated technology platforms closes\nthe gaps for corruption and state losses,\u201d said Nadiem.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he assessed that many parties do not desire such\ntransparency. Nadiem cited the \u2018Merdeka Mengajar\u2019 platform as an\nexample, noting that trillions of rupiah in budget that was previously\nused for curriculum training has vanished due to the availability of\nfree training via the application.<\/p>\n
He added that the Computer-Based National Assessment (ANBK), which\nshifted from rote memorisation to logic and critical reasoning, has also\neliminated the business of tutoring centres and exam booklets that\nburdened parents, as well as the trade of leaked exam papers which\nserved as a source of income for certain individuals.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he noted that the update of the School Procurement\nInformation System (SIPLah)\u2014an e-commerce platform for schools\u2014has\nclosed the gap for budget manipulation between local government\nofficials and school principals in the regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the digitalisation of the online Teacher Professional Education\n(PPG) Programme and the online Selection of Government Employees with\nWork Agreements (PPPK), under-the-table dealings to obtain certification\nand Civil Servant (ASN) status have vanished instantly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Consequently, Nadiem argued that the alleged corruption case\nregarding Chromebooks is a great irony, as he claimed to have\ncontinuously fought corruption by digitalising all educational\ngovernance systems during his tenure.<\/p>\n
He felt that the transparency he built was being met with backlash,\ndescribing it as a conflict between the \u201cpast\u201d and the \u201cfuture.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGroups that want change are clashing with groups that want to\nmaintain the status quo. I am sure I am not the only one feeling this\nfriction,\u201d said Nadiem.<\/p>\n
Nadiem is one of the defendants in the alleged corruption case\ninvolving the education digitalisation programme, specifically the\nprocurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM)\nwithin the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology\nduring 2019-2022.<\/p>\n
In this case, Nadiem is accused of corruption causing state losses\namounting to Rp2.18 trillion. The corruption allegedly involved\nconducting the procurement of ICT-based learning facilities, such as\nChromebook laptops and CDM for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years, in\na manner inconsistent with procurement planning and principles.<\/p>\n
The founder of one of the technology companies is alleged to have\nacted alongside three other defendants in separate trials, namely\nIbrahim Arief (alias Ibam), Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as\nJurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.<\/p>\n
In detail, the state losses include Rp1.56 trillion related to the\neducation digitalisation programme at the Ministry, as well as 44.05\nmillion US dollars (equivalent to approximately Rp621.39 billion) due to\nthe procurement of unnecessary and non-beneficial CDM for the\nprogramme.<\/p>\n
It was noted that a large portion of PT AKAB\u2019s funds originated from\na Google investment worth 786.99 million US dollars. This was reflected\nin Nadiem\u2019s wealth as recorded in the State Officials\u2019 Wealth Report\n(LHKPN) in 2022, which showed securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion.<\/p>\n
For his actions, the former Minister faces criminal penalties under\nArticle 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 juncto Article 18 of Law Number 31\nof 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law\nNumber 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the\n1st KUHP.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nadiem-claims-integrated-technology-development-closes-corruption-loopholes-1780861723", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }