Ahead of surgery, Nadiem Makarim undergoes defendant's examination hearing
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, underwent a defendant’s examination hearing in the alleged Chromebook corruption case ahead of a surgical procedure.
“The procedure will be carried out tomorrow and the day after. Tomorrow is pre-operative, and on Wednesday, the surgery itself,” Nadiem said in response to the judge’s question about his condition, during the hearing at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday.
He admitted to having been given numerous painkillers by his doctor while hospitalised to enable him to complete the hearing today.
Following the surgery, Nadiem explained that his treating doctor had indicated he would need a recovery period of 3 to 6 weeks.
Nevertheless, he expressed his commitment to not disrupting the trial process during that recovery period, so that he could attend hearings, provided he returned immediately to a sterile environment for care.
“Otherwise, the risk is starting from zero again, as happened one and a half months ago,” he stated.
In the alleged corruption case concerning the education digitalisation programme involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology from 2019 to 2022, Nadiem is charged with corruption that harmed state finances by Rp2.18 trillion.
The corruption is alleged to have been committed, among other things, by carrying out the procurement of information and communication technology-based learning facilities in the form of Chromebook laptops and CDM for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years in a manner not in accordance with the procurement planning and principles of procurement.
Nadiem’s actions are charged as having been committed jointly with three other defendants in separate hearings, namely Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who remains at large.
In detail, the state losses caused amount to Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, as well as US$44.05 million or the equivalent of Rp621.39 billion due to the procurement of unnecessary and unbeneficial CDM for the education digitalisation programme.
Through these actions, Nadiem is alleged to have received money amounting to Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia.
It is stated that the majority of PT AKAB’s funding sources come from Google’s investment of US$786.99 million.
This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the State Organiser’s Wealth Report (LHKPN) for 2022, which includes the acquisition of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.
For his actions, Nadiem faces punishment as stipulated in Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.