Former Education Minister Nadiem Claims He Met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella While in Office

JAKARTA — Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim has claimed he frequently met with Microsoft executives, even directly discussing matters with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during his tenure.

However, he stressed that only his meetings with Google have been called into question.

Nadiem made these statements whilst testifying as a witness in a continuation of proceedings in the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops against three defendants: Ibrahim Arief, former Technology Consultant at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology; Mulyatsyah, Director of the Middle School Division at the Ministry during 2020–2021 and Budget User Authority; and Sri Wahyuningsih, Director of the Primary School Division at the Ministry during 2020–2021 and Budget User Authority.

“I met with Microsoft four times in the same year. I met with Microsoft, even met with Microsoft’s CEO named Satya Nadella to discuss the matter. I met Apple twice,” Nadiem said during the hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

“Yes, I met the boss, the world boss Satya Nadella, discussing various collaborations. Because there is a perception as if this was forbidden to meet with Google. This has been narrated. But I met Microsoft four times, met with Apple,” Nadiem added.

According to the prosecution charges, Nadiem previously met with several Google executives, including Scott Beaumont, who was President of Google Asia Pacific, and Colin Marson, Head of Google for Education at Google Asia Pacific, whilst technology procurement was still in the planning phase.

In this case, former Minister Nadiem Makarim and three other defendants are alleged to have caused state financial losses totalling Rp 2.1 trillion.

Nadiem is accused of unlawfully enriching himself by Rp 809 billion, reportedly originating from Google’s investment in Gojek, or PT AKAB.

The prosecution alleges that Nadiem abused his authority, making Google the sole controller of technology procurement, including laptops, in Indonesia’s technology ecosystem. This was allegedly achieved by directing procurement assessments towards a single product: Chrome-based devices, which are Google products.

All defendants face charges under Article 2 Paragraph (1) and Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, concerning corruption offences, in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the Indonesian Criminal Code.