Mixed Emotions as Nadiem Becomes Under House Arrest
The defendant in the Chromebook laptop procurement corruption case, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, revealed his gratitude for being placed under house arrest. Nadiem was delighted to be able to meet his family again.
During the prosecution hearing at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday (14/5/2026), the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology recounted the story of his youngest child, who is just one year old. His youngest child cried when Nadiem had to leave the house to attend the trial.
“I can’t explain what it feels like to come back to my own home, to meet my children. Earlier, the little one, the baby who’s one year old, cried when I left for today’s hearing, because it was like the first time he felt I was at home and then I left again. He had to be pulled away from my hand,” said Nadiem.
Nadiem admitted he couldn’t describe the joy of returning home. Nadiem expressed further gratitude for being able to receive treatment at home.
“I am of course extremely grateful; I can undergo surgery and treatment in a sterile environment at home. I am also grateful that the judge is humane in allowing me to be with my family during this treatment period,” Nadiem stated.
“I pray a lot. Friends have never experienced what it’s like to return home. It’s a mix of sad and happy feelings. It’s something I can’t explain, how it feels. Well, clearly there were many tears,” he added.
Furthermore, Nadiem said he would undergo surgery last night. “Straight to the hospital. I’m having surgery tonight. Because if not, the health impacts on me could be anywhere. This is already the fourth or fifth operation, if I’m not mistaken. So this must be handled immediately, or the risks are quite heavy for me,” he said.
Prosecuted for 18 Years in Prison
Nadiem is being prosecuted with an 18-year prison sentence. Prosecutors are convinced that Nadiem is guilty in the Chromebook laptop and Chrome Device Management (CDM) procurement corruption case.
“We prosecute so that the panel of judges declares the defendant Nadiem Anwar Makarim has been legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing the crime of corruption carried out jointly,” said prosecutor Roy Riady while reading the indictment at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court.
“Therefore, impose a prison sentence on the defendant Nadiem Anwar Makarim of 18 years,” added the prosecutor.
Nadiem is also prosecuted to pay a fine of Rp 1 billion subsidiary 190 days of imprisonment. In addition, prosecutors demand that Nadiem pay restitution of Rp 809,596,125,000 (809 billion) and Rp 4,871,469,603,758 (4.8 trillion), or a total of Rp 5,681,066,728,758 (5.6 trillion).
Prosecutors stated that Nadiem’s assets can be confiscated and auctioned to cover the restitution amount. However, if insufficient, it will be replaced with imprisonment for 9 years.
Prosecutors believe Nadiem is guilty of violating Article 603 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Offences Law in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.