Defence Lawyer Confident Nadiem Will Be Acquitted, Here’s Why

Defence counsel for the defendant Nadiem Anwar Makarim, Ari Yusuf Amir, is optimistic that his client will be acquitted in the case of alleged corruption in the procurement of Chromebooks, despite prosecutors seeking 18 years’ imprisonment. In Jakarta on Wednesday, Ari said the prosecutors’ indictment lacks causality because there is no connection between Nadiem’s shareholding and the Chromebook procurement. ‘In our view, the indictment no longer uses rationality and legal logic,’ he said. He hopes that if Nadiem is acquitted, the ruling will be a consideration for other defendants in similar cases, namely Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, in further proceedings. Previously, Ibam has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and a Rp500 million fine, subsiding 120 days’ detention at first instance court.

Another defence lawyer for Nadiem, Zaid Mushafi, said his client would submit a defence brief, or personal plea, at the hearing on Tuesday 2 June 2026. However, he noted that Nadiem is still undergoing recovery after surgery and has not yet prepared the defence brief. ‘His condition is still under treatment and medical supervision. We hope Mr Nadiem recovers soon so that he can deliver the plea at the next hearing,’ he said.

Previously, prosecutors charged Nadiem with 18 years’ imprisonment, a Rp1 billion fine, subsidiary 190 days’ detention, and restitution of Rp5.67 trillion, to be followed by nine years’ imprisonment in lieu. In the alleged corruption case concerning the digitalisation of education through the procurement of Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology during 2019–2022, Nadiem was accused of causing state losses amounting to Rp2.18 trillion. The loss consisted of Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme and USD 44.05 million (or Rp621.39 billion) arising from the CDM procurement deemed unnecessary. Prosecutors also accused Nadiem of receiving Rp809.59 billion from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa via PT Gojek Indonesia. Much of the funds from PT AKAB originated from Google investment worth US$786.99 million. This is reflected in Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the 2022 State Wealth Report (LHKPN), which shows an asset class of securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion.