Chromebook Corruption Trial at Education Ministry: Prosecutors Reveal Nadiem Makarim's Financial Links to Google Investment
A continuation of the corruption trial regarding allegations of criminality in the digitisation of education through Chromebook procurement at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) in 2020 and 2022 has revealed numerous facts concerning corporate actions and documents from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB) and PT Gojek Indonesia.
During this hearing, Public Prosecutor Roy Riady presented Nadiem Makarim as the crown witness in his capacity as Minister of Education from 2019 to 2024 for the accused Ibrahim Arief, Sri Wahyuningsih, and Mulyatsyah.
In the proceedings, the prosecutor conveyed that evidence had emerged of a business agreement between PT AKAB and Google, wherein the multinational company from the United States served as the largest shareholder whilst Nadiem held the position of Chief Commissioner.
“This relationship is deemed to constitute mutual symbiosis that impacted Chromebook procurement policy, particularly given the placement of Google executives as commissioners at Nadiem’s company to promote Chrome OS products in Southeast Asia,” stated Prosecutor Roy Riady.
Regarding the financial aspects, the prosecutor presented data from tax returns and asset declarations showing that Nadiem’s income derived from shares and investments in Google at PT AKAB. “There are records of wealth in the form of deposits at UOB Bank and BCA totalling Rp1.2 trillion in 2021, and total assets reaching Rp5 trillion in 2022,” he added.
The prosecutor specifically accused an attempt at self-enrichment of Rp809 billion through the transfer of Google investment funds from PT AKAB to PT Gojek Indonesia, which the witness acknowledged as his company.
Anomalies in Policy Authority
Regarding policy authority, the prosecutor highlighted anomalies in which the witness denied his involvement in determining the technical specifications of Chromebooks, deflecting this responsibility to subordinates.
However, the prosecutor asserted that based on the Law on Ministries and the Presidential Regulation on Procurement of Goods and Services, responsibility for budget use rests with the Minister, as evidenced by the issuance of Ministry of Education Regulation Number 5 of 2021 and similar policies in 2022.
Additionally, the prosecutor investigated the role of the Minister’s Special Staff (SKM) and external personnel recruited to the ministry and initially paid from the state budget.
Although the witness claimed ignorance of their activities, trial evidence revealed that Echelon 1 and 2 officials showed considerable compliance with the significant role the witness assigned to these special staff members.
Concluding his testimony, Prosecutor Roy Riady requested that the witness remain cooperative and truthful, given that his position as a witness does not grant him the right of self-incrimination like a defendant possesses.
The prosecutor also filed a demand for fines of Rp1 billion against nine defendants.