Hinca Pandjaitan Supports Investigation Follow-Up in Nadiem Chromebook Laptop Case
Member of the Parliamentary Commission on Law, Hinca Ikara Putra Pandjaitan, addressed the defence strategy of former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim in the Chromebook laptop procurement corruption case at the Jakarta Corruption Court. According to Hinca, whilst Nadiem is entitled to defend himself, the evidence presented by the prosecution team demonstrates a clear sequence of events supporting their charges.
“Following the indictment through to witness testimonies, I can see that long before (Nadiem) became minister, there was already mens rea (criminal intent),” Hinca stated in conversation with Eddy Wijaya on the EdShareOn podcast broadcast on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Hinca explained that mens rea in this case is evident in WhatsApp group conversations discussing Chromebook procurement. The prosecution presented conversations indicating Chromebook procurement at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. One of four points mentioned by Nadiem was to “eliminate humans and replace them with software.”
During the investigation, prosecutors discovered indications of conspiracy through specific directives to the technical team to prepare an assessment for procuring information and communication technology devices in the form of Chrome OS-based laptops. The assessment appeared designed to support educational technology needs, despite 2019 pilot test results showing otherwise.
Hinca commended the findings of the prosecution team led by Roy Riady. “I have respect for that. This case is somewhat unique and requires precision and acuity. I believe the Attorney General’s Office has an excellent intelligence unit,” he stated. Roy Riady is known to have served at the Corruption Eradication Commission for seven years, giving him exceptional experience. He is able to piece together information in a cohesive manner, Hinca added.
Hinca also highlighted systemic issues requiring reform. He criticised the goods traffic system for imports and exports, stating it needs improvement to close avenues for corruption and prevent loss of state revenue. “The state loses money because goods exit and enter incorrectly. (Therefore we must) clean up our system,” he said.
Hinca drew attention to findings from the Financial Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) which detected financial flows within an illegal gold mining network (PETI) valued at hundreds of trillions of rupiah. The illegal gold mining network operates across multiple regions including Java, Sulawesi, Papua, West Kalimantan and North Sumatera. This practice is suspected to constitute environmental crime or green financial crime (GFC) in the mining sector.
According to PPATK analysis, transactions from suspected illegal gold mining activity throughout 2023-2025 exceeded Rp992 trillion. Direct transactions identified within this network reached Rp185 trillion flowing into major players’ accounts. A portion of these funds flowed overseas through gold exports to countries such as Singapore, Thailand and the United States, totalling more than Rp155 trillion during 2023-2025.
The legislator from the Democratic Party explained that PPATK was established in 2002 following Indonesia’s democratic reform to serve as financial intelligence, tracing money flows from one point to another. When PPATK findings involve gold as the object, Hinca noted the transaction flow involves export-import activities. Customs, the sole law enforcement agency handling goods at borders, represents “the final fortress controlling our wealth entering and leaving,” he stated.
Hinca therefore supports investigation follow-up by law enforcement authorities. PPATK has already submitted their investigative findings to investigators. According to Hinca, PPATK’s investigation is mature and only requires completion through prosecutorial procedures. Regarding the perpetrators, Hinca identified businessmen colluding with border protection officials. “Certainly customs officials, possibly others as well,” he said.
Hinca claimed knowledge of suspected perpetrators involved in the illegal gold mining case. “Yes, I know. Hopefully it can be eradicated so that taxes from goods movements genuinely support state finances,” he stated. Regarding the possibility of major players receiving protection from state officials, Hinca referred to them as “a series of perpetrators. Whether they are businessmen, politicians, everyone in this chain is a criminal, right?”
PPATK Chairman Ivan Yustiavandana previously told media that his institution coordinated with authorities and submitted all data suspected to relate to PETI to investigators, indicating investigations into PETI and its distribution networks have commenced. PPATK’s role is to report and analyse; its findings serve as preliminary evidence requiring follow-up by law enforcement authorities, Hinca clarified.
Regarding the Chromebook case, prosecutors stated that based on Nadiem’s orders, structural officials at echelon two level such as directors and commitment makers were pressured through communications from Jurist Tan and Fiona serving as special staff.
Price inflation vulnerabilities were frequently exploited through collusion and monopoly practices by certain parties. Roy noted that LKPP provided testimony that prices on the platform were uncontrolled and tended to be high, resulting in subsequent changes.
In this case, BPKP audit revealed total state losses reaching Rp2.1 trillion.
The testimony of former Commitment Maker (PPK) Bambang Hadiwaluyo, who admitted stepping down due to psychological pressure, is expected to strengthen evidence against the defendants.