Moment When Nadiem Protests Interruption by Prosecutor While Explaining Chromebook Procurement: I Haven't Finished Answering

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The trial of the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (11/5/2026) was marked by moments of mutual interruptions between the public prosecutor (JPU) and the defendant, former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim.

The moment occurred as the prosecutor delved into the existence of a technology team or GovTech within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, as well as allegations of a shadow organisation during Nadiem’s leadership.

While answering the prosecutor’s questions about the reasons for bringing in people from outside the ministry to assist with the education digitalisation programme, Nadiem was interrupted several times.

“The prosecutor’s question is why I brought in people from the technology sector to help the ministry? This is my answer. So my answer is very relevant to the prosecutor’s question. Please allow me to finish my answer to the prosecutor,” Nadiem said during the trial.

In his explanation, Nadiem stated that the presence of the technology team was part of the education digitalisation mandate directed by President Joko Widodo in a cabinet meeting.

According to him, the Ministry of Education at the time needed technology talent with experience in building large-scale applications.

“There are many skills and competencies within my ministry with many good people. But one thing that was completely lacking in competence was building world-standard applications on a large scale,” he said.

Nadiem denied the allegations and emphasised that all GovTech products remained under the coordination of the relevant director-generals.

“All director-generals were involved,” said Nadiem.

The trial atmosphere briefly prompted the Panel of Judges to intervene and mediate the debate between the prosecutor and the defendant.

Amid the situation, Nadiem again requested the opportunity to finish his answer.

“May I finish, Your Honour?” said Nadiem.

The Panel of Judges then allowed Nadiem to continue his statement and asked each party to present their version of the facts in the trial.