Chromebook Trial: Nadiem Makarim Admits No Rp809 Billion in His Tax Return
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, has spotlighted the opening of his Tax Notification Letter (SPT) data in the trial of the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops.
According to Nadiem, the presentation of the SPT in the courtroom is an unusual matter, given that tax reports are private and should be kept confidential.
“Today, all my tax SPTs were displayed in front of the court. This is a very strange thing,” Nadiem told reporters after the trial at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, on Monday (30/3/2026).
He emphasised that his openness in reporting taxes is instead being used to build a narrative that he deems inconsistent with the facts. However, Nadiem said the presentation actually clarifies that there is no Rp809 billion figure as alleged.
“It is proven that in all my tax SPTs, there is no Rp809 billion figure at all,” he said.
Nadiem also touched on the testimony of a witness from the Directorate General of Taxes presented by the prosecutors. According to him, the testimony strengthens the explanation that several figures in question are not personal income.
He explained that the Rp5.2 trillion figure, which was once mentioned, is not income but a tax payment obligation for the founder’s tax.
Additionally, he stated that the Rp809 billion figure contested in the indictment is part of an internal corporate transaction, not personal assets.
“It was explained that the Rp809 billion is the SPT of Gojek Indonesia, not mine. And that transaction is an internal corporate transaction that returns to the company,” he clarified.
Nadiem questioned the relevance of the tax data revealed in the trial to the matter being adjudicated, namely the Chromebook procurement.
“What is the connection between internal corporate transactions and the Chromebook procurement? What is the connection between my SPT and this case?” he said.
Nevertheless, Nadiem appreciated the testimonies of the witnesses, which he deemed to objectively explain the facts in the trial.
He stated that he is optimistic the legal process will gradually uncover the truth and that the public can assess this case clearly.
“I believe justice will be revealed, and the public will see various irregularities in this case,” he concluded.
In this case, Nadiem is charged with corruption in the Chromebook laptop and Chrome Device Management (CDM) procurement project while serving as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The project is alleged to have caused state losses of Rp2.1 trillion.
Previously, Nadiem had filed an exception to the prosecutors’ indictment. However, the panel of judges rejected the exception and decided to proceed to the proof stage.