Chromebook corruption case hearing postponed as Nadiem Makarim falls ill
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The expert examination hearing in the alleged corruption case concerning Chromebook procurement has been postponed after Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister during 2019-2024, fell ill.
Public Prosecutor Roy Riady from the Attorney General’s Office explained that Nadiem is currently hospitalised following intensive care treatment several days ago.
“The defendant is currently hospitalised today,” said Roy during proceedings at the Corruption Crimes Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.
The panel of judges therefore decided to postpone the expert examination hearing to Monday (30 March).
Nadiem’s advocate, Zaid Mushafi, explained that his client is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday (17 March) and will undergo health checks beforehand on Saturday (14 March).
Following the operation, Nadiem is expected to require approximately 14 days for recovery.
“However, it will depend on the healing period after the medical procedure,” said Zaid.
In the case, Nadiem is charged with corruption causing state financial losses worth Rp2.18 trillion. The corruption is allegedly committed through the procurement of information and communication technology-based learning equipment in the form of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 budget years that did not comply with procurement planning and procurement principles.
Nadiem’s actions are alleged to have been committed jointly with three other defendants in separate proceedings: Ibam, Mulyatsyah, Sri Wahyuningsih, and Jurist Tan, who remains at large.
Specifically, the state losses comprise Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme at the Education Ministry, and USD 44.05 million (approximately Rp621.39 billion) resulting from unnecessary and ineffective CDM procurement under the education digitalisation programme.
Through these actions, Nadiem is alleged to have received Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia.
The majority of PT AKAB’s funds reportedly originated from Google investments worth USD 786.99 million.
This is evident from Nadiem’s assets recorded in his 2022 wealth statement, which showed securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.
For his actions, the former Education Minister faces penalties under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 read together with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on Corruption Eradication as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) subsection 1 of the Criminal Code.