Chromebook Defendant Breaks Down in Tears Over 15-Year Prison Demand: I Wasn't Seeking Projects

Former consultant to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, feels he has been scapegoated in the alleged corruption case regarding the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM). Ibam stated that he is the victim in this case.

“I need to underline here that, for me, this matter is clear: I am the scapegoat of the procurement officials who want to blame a consultant. And all their accusations have been refuted when the truth emerges from the trial evidence,” said Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam during a press conference held by the defendant’s side in the Cikini area, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Ibam cried while giving statements to the media. Ibam is convinced that he is not guilty in this case.

“That gives me confidence; indeed, I am not guilty at all here. But I have been scapegoated, which makes me angry. I am not angry at my situation; I am angry at people like that, who criminalise professional consultants who neutrally provide input and their expertise to the Government,” he said.

Ibam also showed WhatsApp chats from the early communications with former Minister of Education Nadiem Anwar Makarim. He claimed to have returned to Indonesia to serve the country.

“I wasn’t seeking projects at all; I rejected offers from abroad because I thought there would be more sustenance later, Insha’Allah,” said Ibam.

“Maybe it’s time to help the country first and not think about myself; that’s what’s happening to me now. I am being accused,” he added.

Ibam said he never gave input that directly pointed to Chromebook. Ibam’s wife, Riri, also cried while delivering this press statement.

“There was nothing at all in my input that pointed to Chromebook; that was all the conclusion of the Ministry officials,” she said.

Ibam stated that what happened to him is legal criminalisation. He pleaded for President Prabowo Subianto to pay attention to this case.

“For me, this criminalisation has reached its peak. It’s not logical for 22.5 years if there is no pressure of criminalisation. Here, I don’t know where else to go to seek help from President Prabowo regarding this very evident injustice we are receiving, the criminalisation of people who help Indonesia,” he said.

Ibam said the prosecutor’s demands against him are baseless and illogical. He stated that there was no flow of funds that he enjoyed in this case.

“And it’s proven there is no flow of funds, no conflict of interest, no benefits at all. Neutral, professional input,” he said.

In addition, Ibam also claimed to have received intimidation. He said that if the request was not complied with, the case would be expanded.

“I was contacted and told something that confused me at the time. I was told something simple here. At that time, I was asked to make a statement pointing upwards, with the threat that if I couldn’t make such a statement, the case would be expanded. 24 June 2025, before I became a suspect. Before I became a suspect, I received such threats and intimidation,” he explained.

Furthermore, Ibam asked for help from all parties so that he could be freed from this case. He claimed he did not want this case to become a bad precedent.

“I am not guilty here. Please help me, free me. Please don’t make this a precedent for knowledge workers who have devoted their expertise to help the country. Because there are many, many who still want to do that, but become afraid seeing this case, this criminalisation. Please don’t let it become a precedent. The evidence is clear. Please free me,” he said.

In the trial held on Thursday (16/4), Ibam was demanded 15 years in prison, a fine of Rp 1 billion subsidiary 190 days of imprisonment. The prosecutor also demanded Ibam pay restitution of Rp 16.92 billion subsidiary 7 years and 6 months in prison.

The prosecutor believes Ibam is guilty of violating Article 603 jo. Article 20 of the Criminal Code jo. Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law No. 20 of 2001.

Aggravating factors: the defendants do not support the government’s programme in organising a clean and corruption-free state from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KKN). “Mitigating factor, the defendants have never been punished,” said the Public Prosecutor at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (16/4).

Ibam was designated as city detention because he has a history of chronic heart disease. Ibam has been fitted with an electronic device (detector) to monitor his movements.

“Suspect IBAM has been fitted with our device called a bracelet to detect the whereabouts of the person. Since he’s not detained temporarily because of illness, city detention,” said Head of Public Relations of the Attorney General’s Office Anang Supriatna to reporters at the Attorney General’s Office Complex, South Jakarta, Thursday (17/7/2025).