Ibrahim Arief Baffled by Inclusion of His Name in Chromebook Procurement Oversight Decree

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former technology consultant in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), Ibrahim Arief, could not fathom his name being included in the assignment decree for overseeing the Chromebook procurement without his knowledge.

“The assignment to oversee the procurement listed for me in the decree dated 8 June, signed by Hamid Muhammad, was done without my knowledge,” said Ibrahim while reading his personal plea in the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (23/4/2026).

Ibam, his familiar nickname, explained that the former Acting Director General of Basic and Secondary Education at Kemendikbud, Hamid Muhammad, signed Decree No. 5190/C.C1/KP/2020 dated 8 June 2020 regarding the assignment to oversee the procurement.

Several names were listed in that assignment letter, but Ibam claimed he never signed the document.

“(Pointing to the document shown on the projector screen) I am number four there, I myself did not sign, but I am the one said to have prepared this study. I cannot fathom it,” said Ibam.

Ibam admitted that he only saw the document and the signature sheet when the legal process was already underway.

From a bureaucratic perspective, Ibam is not a civil servant (ASN) and is only a consultant contracted through an external party.

“I need to remind you that I am not an ASN, and as a non-ASN, I should not be unilaterally included in the decree like this,” said Ibam.

Ibam also emphasised that he never received a work order letter or any honourarium related to the assignment as a procurement overseer.

“I also never received a work order letter or any honourarium related to the inclusion of my name in the decree,” said Ibam.

Through his plea, he requested that the panel of judges free him from the 15-year prison demand.

“I hope the honourable panel of judges can rule me not guilty and restore my dignity and honour after such a long time I have struggled to clear my name,” said Ibrahim.