Chromebook Case: Prosecutor Reveals Nadiem Makarim's Wealth Puzzle Linked to Google Investments
Team of Prosecutors for Serious Crimes (Jaksa Penuntut Umum, JPU) revealed facts in the trial of a suspected corruption case over Chromebook laptop procurement within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). The JPU says it has strong evidence in the form of a Personal Income Tax Return (SPT) showing a wealth increase of former minister Nadiem Makarim by more than Rp6 trillion.
Prosecutor Roy Riady explained that the 2019-2023 Personal Income Tax Return records are the key instrument to trace flows of funds allegedly related to the project.
‘There is clearly an increase in Mr Nadiem’s income of Rp809 billion from PT Gojek Indonesia. That is recorded in the income SPT,’ Roy said in Jakarta on Thursday (5 March 2026).
Roy outlined that the wealth is suspected to originate from opaque investment schemes and share sales. In addition to the Rp809 billion figure, the prosecutor found income surges up to Rp4 trillion, and share sales on the Indonesia Stock Exchange amounting to Rp80 billion in 2023 conducted non-transparently.
Roy suspects a mutualistic symbiosis between Nadiem’s office and the investors.
‘We suspect there was an effort to profit there. From where? From Google’s investments, where Google then secured the Chromebook procurement project,’ he asserted.
In court, Roy referred to the testimony of Andre Soelistyo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk, who said Nadiem is the controller or ultimate power of attorney. Additionally, the testimony of notary Jose Dima Satria strengthens the suspicion of an investment deed not in line with actual conditions.
‘Andre Soelistyo stated that he is the attorney-in-fact; Nadiem is the ultimate controller. Moreover, the notary’s and GoTo’s finance people’s statements. The total wealth allegedly enriched amounts to around Rp6 trillion,’ Roy added.
The figure, according to Roy, does not include assets of shares in other subsidiaries formed by the defendant.
Regarding national financial losses in this Chromebook project, the JPU stated that the Rp1.5 trillion figure released by the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) will be tested further in future trials.
‘National losses of Rp1.5 trillion from BPKP will be tested when we present BPKP experts in court,’ he concluded. (H-3)
The pretext of goodwill in the digitalisation of education cannot be used as a legal shield for Nadiem Makarim.
The examination of witnesses aims to delve into the planning, implementation, procurement of Chromebook laptops and other supporting devices.
The Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) panel rejected the defence exception raised by Nadiem Makarim in the Chromebook procurement case.
Nadiem Makarim expressed disappointment at the decision of the Tipikor panel, which rejected his exception.
That statement was read by his legal representative, Dodi S. Abdulkadir, in the form of an open letter containing several questions that, in Nadiem’s view, should be assessed by the public.