Chromebook hearing reveals KSP staffer once corresponded with the Ministry of Education and Culture over the procurement

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Former Director-General of Basic Education and Middle School Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud), Jumeri, said that there was a staff member from Kantor Staf Presiden (KSP) named Tri Saptono who asked about procurement specifications that mentioned Chromebook alone. This was stated as he testified as a witness in the continued trial of alleged corruption in the Chromebook-based laptop procurement for the defendant Ibrahim Arief, a former Technology Consultant.

“There was from the Kantor Staf Presiden side actually that questioned the linkage, asking the witness whether there was any problem that the Chromebook procurement was directed at only one specification, in relation to the Permendikbud issued by Pak Nadiem?” asked the Prosecutor Roy Riady in the Jakarta Corruption Court, Friday (6/3/2026).

“There is, sir. It was from Mas Tri Saptono, the KSP staff, who asked that. Then I forwarded the letter to Pak Sutanto, the Secretary to the Director-General, to be answered,” Jumeri said.

The ministry’s side replied to Tri’s letter.

“Our answer is that, in accordance with ministerial rules, the 2021 ICT procurement followed the findings of the 2020 study,” he added.

The prosecutor questioned whether the study used as the basis for the procurement had been reviewed or revised to include Chrome as a specification.

“It is stated in your BAP that there is a person named Tri Santoso from Kantor Staf Presiden. He asked whether there is no problem with the Permendikbud currently mentioning a specific Chromebook product,” Judge Andi Saputra asked during the session at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday (19/1/2026).

At that time, Jumeri was also called as a witness. He was grilled by the judge regarding questions from Tri Santoso.

“Mr Tri Santoso asked because he had received feedback from various regions that the 2021 digitisation procurement had caused some uproar in the regions,” Jumeri replied.

When probed further by the judge, Jumeri said that Tri Santoso was merely asking at that time. However, he admitted that Tri had briefly posed follow-up questions.