Judge: Ibam Knew of 5 Chromebook Risks and 3 Technical Weaknesses Since January 2020
The defendant was not an external consultant standing outside the decision-making structure, but rather an engineer leader organically placed within the Ministry’s wartek team, with direct access to the minister and ministerial staff, and remuneration equivalent to that of a high-ranking echelon official,” stated judge member Sunoto at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
“And with the role of directing the technical team towards decisions that had already been locked in beforehand, the construction of awareness of wrongdoing is thus fulfilled in the defendant because the defendant knew of the five Chromebook risks since 23 January 2020, and knew of the three technical weaknesses since 21 January 2020 as per evidence T13,” added the judge.
The judge stated that the five Chromebook risks were: insufficient stock to meet high-volume demand, the device locking users into the Google ecosystem. Then, Chromebooks require adequate internet connectivity, are not compatible with existing applications, and there is no available community of teachers for learning, which would hinder Chromebook usage.
The judge stated that the three technical weaknesses of Chromebooks were limitations in internet connectivity, compatibility issues with Ministry applications, and the continued need for Windows-based devices. The judge said that Ibam only highlighted the advantages of ChromeOS but did not present these three weaknesses at the meeting.
“In this regard, the fact that the defendant on 21 February 2020 knew and documented in the engineering update the three Chromebook weaknesses, namely limitations in internet connectivity, compatibility issues with ministry applications, and the continued need for Windows-based devices. However, in subsequent meetings, he continued to present Chromebooks by only highlighting the advantages of ChromeOS and not presenting these three weaknesses in a balanced manner,” stated the judge.
The judge stated that Ibam also knew and participated in hiding the price slide on instructions from former special staff to Nadiem, Fiona Handayani, in May-June 2020. The judge stated that Ibam knew the market price of Chromebooks was Rp 2 million.
“Therefore, the legal facts show that the defendant was not a peripheral or marginal actor merely following the flow of policy, but rather an active technocrat with real agency in the criminal events that occurred, with high professional capacity who consciously carried out, directed, and legitimised a policy that was known to contain fundamental technical weaknesses,” stated the judge.
Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison
Previously, Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The judge stated that Ibam was guilty in the alleged corruption case of procuring Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM).
“Declaring the Defendant Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing the criminal act of corruption jointly as in the subsidiary indictment,” said the chief judge of the panel, Purwanto S Abdullah, when reading the verdict at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court, on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
“Imposing a prison sentence on the Defendant Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam therefore for 4 years,” added the judge.
Ibam was also fined Rp 500 million. If the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with imprisonment for 120 days.
The judge stated that Ibam was guilty of violating Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Criminal Act in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 numeral 1 of the old Criminal Code.
This verdict is far lower than the prosecutors’ demand. Previously, Ibam was demanded 15 years in prison, a fine of Rp 1 billion subsidiary 190 days imprisonment. The prosecutors also demanded that Ibam pay restitution of Rp 16.92 billion subsidiary 7 years and 6 months imprisonment.