Ex-Consultant Faces 15-Year Jail Demand in Chromebook Case, Nadiem: Confusing
Former Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim has expressed confusion over the 15-year prison demand against the defendant in the alleged corruption case concerning the procurement of Chromebooks and CDM, Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam. Nadiem said he was deeply saddened to hear the demand.
“Today, I also want to mention something that makes me very sad and confused. This is regarding Ibrahim Arief or Ibam, who was demanded 15 years yesterday, even UP (replacement money) of Rp 16 billion and if not paid, it becomes 22 years,” said Nadiem Anwar Makarim at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday (20/4/2026).
Nadiem stated that Ibam is known as one of Indonesia’s best engineers. He said Ibam has an extraordinary reputation, reliability, competence, and idealism.
“That a person like that receives such a high punishment or demand, it is very confusing to me,” he said.
He explained that Ibam, as a consultant, had no authority to make any decisions. He mentioned that Ibam also did not receive any fund flows related to this case.
“And thirdly, from the WA chat evidence and meeting minutes presented in court, which I saw, all the evidence pointing to Ibam actually shows him being very critical in various discussions about Chromebooks and always challenging,” said Nadiem.
“Even witnesses from Google executives who were present in the ministry in 2020 stated that our team, including Ibam, always challenged, and Google was pessimistic that Chrome OS would be selected,” he added.
He said Ibam sacrificed double his salary to serve the nation. He expressed confusion over the near-maximum potential punishment demanded for Ibam.
“So I am very confused how someone who sacrificed two, three times more salary, rejected a Facebook job in England, sacrificed himself to serve the country, could face such a demand and potential near-maximum punishment,” he said.
Furthermore, Nadiem asked Indonesian youth to reflect on and examine this case. He invited all young people to think about the current legal process.
“So please, this makes me feel that young professionals must realise that perhaps not everything is fine with the legal process in our country right now,” said Nadiem.
“And please remember, Ibam is one of us, he is a young professional. And don’t forget, Ibam is an engineer, Ibam is a father, Ibam is a husband. Please pray for Ibam,” he added.
In this case, Ibam is demanded 15 years in prison, a fine of Rp 1 billion subsidiary 190 days imprisonment. The prosecutor also demands Ibam pay replacement money of Rp 16.92 billion subsidiary 7 years and 6 months imprisonment.
The prosecutor believes Ibam is guilty of violating Article 603 jo. Article 20 of the Criminal Code jo. Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001.
Aggravating factors: the defendants do not support the government’s programme in organising a clean and KKN-free state.
“Lightening factors: the defendants have never been punished,” stated the public prosecutor at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday (16/4).