Judges Probe Reasons for Fluctuating Chromebook Prices During Procurement Era Under Nadiem Makarim

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The panel of judges delved into the fluctuating prices of Chromebook-based laptops during the tenure of former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim, around 2019 compared to the present day.

This matter was explored by several judges when Dedy Nurmawan Susilo, an auditor from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) and Chairman of the State Loss Calculation Team for the Chromebook Case, was examined in the continuation of the trial for the alleged Chromebook laptop procurement case.

“I read from Jurist Tan’s WhatsApp (formerly Special Staff to the Minister), who is still fugitives to this day, one of them because Chromebook laptops are cheap, around Rp3 million,” said Member Judge Andi Saputra during the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (13/4/2026).

“My question is, why did this increasingly unclear price fluctuation occur? Before the project, it was Rp3 million, then during the project it skyrocketed to Rp6 million which was only negotiated down by Rp300,000. Then after it was completed, there was testimony information that Rp2 million was already available, how is that?” asked Judge Andi.

However, based on import documents obtained by BPKP, the price of these Chromebook laptops ranges from Rp2.5 million to Rp2.8 million.

“Based on customs documents, import documents, which we obtained from the Customs and Excise Service, the CKD price, the incoming value of the goods from abroad, there are two main producers, Pegatron and Quanta, ranging from Rp2.5 million to Rp2.8 million something,” explained Dedy.

Based on data held by BPKP, this price is widely considered as raw material for Chromebook manufacturers in the country.

Dedy admitted he does not know for sure the reason why Chromebooks are sold cheaper than the figures he mentioned.

According to Dedy, there are many possibilities for the Chromebook price to plummet.

“Whether they are clearing stock, old stock, or perhaps importing directly from abroad in finished form so no assembly costs in the country, thus making the price cheaper. It could be like that,” he added.

“When demand was high earlier, that’s why I mentioned, there was high demand intervention with prices already set, so that would make the price high,” he explained.

Chromebook prices could drop again after the procurement was completed.