Following Surgery, Nadiem Ready to Present Defence Against 18-Year Prison Sentence Claim
The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, is prepared to attend the follow-up hearing regarding the alleged corruption in the Chromebook procurement project at the Ministry for the 2020-2022 period. The hearing, which involves the reading of the plea (pleidoi), is scheduled for 2 June 2026.
Nadiem’s lawyer, Ari Amir Yusuf, confirmed his client’s attendance, noting that Nadiem has recovered following surgery on 13 May 2026. “Alhamdulillah, Mr Nadiem has improved after the surgery. Therefore, the plea hearing will proceed as scheduled,” Amir told reporters on Monday.
Amir emphasised that the plea hearing will serve as a momentum to defend his client, claiming that the prosecutor’s indictments remain unproven and are driven by ambition rather than sufficient evidence. “All charges against him are unproven; the prosecution’s demands are merely based on emotion and ambition,” Amir stated.
Previously, Nadiem faced a prison sentence demand of 18 years. Prosecutors argued that Nadiem was proven guilty in the Chromebook case and requested a fine of Rp 1 billion, or a substitute 190 days of imprisonment. Furthermore, Nadiem faces additional criminal penalties, including the payment of restitution amounting to Rp 809.59 billion, as well as the forfeiture of Rp 4.87 trillion in wealth deemed disproportionate to his official income. If the restitution is not paid, it will be replaced by a 9-year prison term.
Prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office suspect a white-collar crime scheme in the Chromebook corruption case. Prosecutor Roy Riady stated that the scheme exploited bureaucratic loopholes and official positions for Nadiem’s personal gain. He explained that the defendant allegedly used his authority to create a non-transparent system, establishing decision-making mechanisms outside formal channels to benefit specific parties.
The prosecution highlighted a structured conflict of interest, alleging that Nadiem intentionally formed ‘shadow organisations’ outside the official ministry structure to direct policies toward the business interests of his affiliated technology corporations. Additionally, prosecutors pointed to an unnatural increase in Nadiem’s wealth. Evidence presented in court suggested a link between the Chromebook procurement and a fraud scheme involving PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB). Prosecutors revealed that while there was a Google investment of 786 million USD (approximately Rp 11 trillion), only Rp 60 billion was recorded in administrative reports, suggesting a scheme to disguise the true value to avoid taxes and conceal conflicts of interest.