Denying Discussion of Chromebooks, Nadiem Reveals Contents of 'Mas Menteri Core' WhatsApp Group Chat
This was conveyed by Nadiem during the trial examination of the defendant in the Chromebook and Chrome Device Management (CDM) procurement case at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (11/5/2026). Nadiem initially responded to the prosecutor’s question mentioning that the group discussed Chromebook procurement.
“To answer the prosecutor’s question earlier, in that group we discussed the broad outlines of policies that were considered capable of addressing the biggest problems in our education system, with various issues within it,” he said.
“I was so shocked when this case began, that it was announced by the Prosecutor’s Office, that in the WhatsApp Group before becoming a minister, discussions about TIK procurement or Chromebooks had already taken place, which turns out not to have happened at all and there is no such chat,” Nadiem continued.
Nadiem admitted that the chat group was limited to discussing the curriculum up to digitalisation.
“In the chat, it is clearly stated that we discussed the curriculum, we discussed digitalisation strategies, what digitalisation is,” he explained.
Afterwards, Nadiem described the origins of creating the ‘Mas Menteri Core’ WhatsApp group. Nadiem said that not all the special staff members in the group were known to him at the time.
“At that time, I invited them because I heard about their reputations from various people who recommended them. Then I communicated, we met, we talked, and they had a passion to help me,” Nadiem replied.
“Even though at that time we hadn’t discussed what their roles would be, but during those conversations, it was clear they increasingly wanted to become special staff at that time,” he added.
Nadiem then explained the purpose of creating the group. Nadiem said he needed people who understood government up to policy-making.
“What was my intention? I’m from the technology field, from business, I’ve never entered political parties, I don’t know about government, I don’t know about education, I don’t know about public policy,” Nadiem replied.
“I know what the industry will be like in 10-20 years when the children graduate, that’s what I know. I know things that many people in the education world don’t know, but the history of education reform in Indonesia, the current education situation, how to make ministry regulations and policies, well, I’m clueless, I don’t know how to do that,” he continued.
Nadiem also explained that he assessed his special staff as fully understanding how to guide him, who was inexperienced as an education minister. He also said that his special staff had experience guiding previous ministers.
“So I gathered the best people, experts who understand how private sector people communicate, but understand education. Fiona, Najelaa, all have guided previous ministers, even Mr Muhajir and Mr Anies, even local governments they helped with education policies. So that became a source of information and consideration for me,” he added.