18-year sentence sought, Nadiem's camp optimistic of acquittal

The defence for accused Nadiem Anwar Makarim is optimistic that he will be acquitted in the corruption case over the Chromebook procurement, despite prosecutors seeking an 18-year prison term. Ari Yusuf Amir, one of Nadiem’s lawyers, said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the indictment does not rest on causality because there is no link between Nadiem’s shareholding and the Chromebook procurement. “In our view, the indictment no longer uses rationality and legal logic,” Ari said. He hopes that if Nadiem is acquitted, the verdict could be a consideration for another defendant in a similar case, Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, in subsequent legal proceedings. Another lawyer for Nadiem, Zaid Mushafi, said his client will submit a defence brief or personal plea at the Tuesday (2/6) session. However, he added, Nadiem is still undergoing post-operative recovery and has not yet prepared his defence. “His condition is still under medical care and supervision. We hope Mr Nadiem recovers quickly so he can present his plea at the next hearing,” Zaid said. In the case involving the alleged corruption in the education digitisation programme, namely the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) from 2019 to 2022, Nadiem is charged with causing state losses of Rp2.18 trillion. The loss comprises Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitisation programme and USD 44.05 million, or Rp621.39 billion, due to the CDM procurement deemed unnecessary. This is reflected in Nadiem’s wealth listed in the State Officials Wealth Report (LHKPN) for 2022, which records securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion. For the offence, the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is charged under Article 2(1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55(1) first sentence of the Indonesian Penal Code.”