Nadiem Attends Hearing After Hospitalisation, Infusion Device Still Attached to Hand

Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim has resumed attending hearings in the alleged corruption case concerning the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM). Nadiem stated that he is still undergoing treatment in preparation for surgery.

“What is the defendant’s health condition today?” asked the chief judge Purwanto S Abdullah at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (4/5/2026).

“Thank you, Your Honour. Currently, I am still under hospital treatment in preparation for surgery that will take place quite soon,” Nadiem replied.

Observations by detikcom showed Nadiem entering the courtroom with an infusion device still attached to his left hand. His left hand also appeared bandaged. He was seen handcuffed and wearing a detainee vest.

Nadiem was hospitalised at Abdi Waluyo Hospital from 25 April 2026 to 3 May 2026. Nadiem said he attended the hearing today to ensure the trial does not proceed without him.

“Although the doctor did not recommend that I leave, due to the needs of the trial and since I am not allowed to join via Zoom, I am present here to ensure the trial process is not delayed. However, the doctor stated that after the hearing, I must immediately return to the hospital for treatment,” Nadiem said.

Nadiem requested the panel of judges to transfer his detention status. He said the request for a change in detention was solely for the healing process.

“So once again, Your Honour, I humbly request that I be allowed to join the hearing tomorrow or Wednesday via Zoom, and or I humbly request that the detention status be changed during the healing period only by the panel. Because this is only until I recover, then after recovery I am ready to return to the detention status in the remand centre, no problem, just so I can recover,” he said.

Based on the doctor’s letter, Nadiem requires further treatment for 3-7 days. Nadiem stated he could attend the hearing today.

“So based on this medical resume and doctor’s certificate starting from 25 April 2026 and returning to the remand centre on 3 May 2026, that was yesterday. Okay. And according to the doctor’s certificate, after examination, it is recommended to continue further treatment for 5 to 7 days. Has any procedure been performed yet?” the judge asked.

“Not yet, Your Honour, waiting for these 3 days of hearings and then the procedure will be done immediately,” Nadiem replied.

“So for your detention status regarding hospitalisation or its continuation, the panel of judges will certainly base it on the doctor’s and hospital’s statements. If your condition indeed requires further treatment, the panel will comply by allowing hospitalisation. But for today, can we proceed?” the judge asked.

“Yes, Your Honour,” Nadiem replied.

Nadiem’s hearing will continue, and he will undergo further treatment on Thursday (7/5). The judge stated that examinations in this case will not be conducted via Zoom while Nadiem is hospitalised.

“If later the defendant requires treatment and is hospitalised, the panel’s stance remains the same as before; examinations cannot be conducted while the defendant is lawfully hospitalised. Even via Zoom, the panel’s stance is the same. If the defendant’s status is hospitalised at that time, the panel will not proceed with the examination even via Zoom,” the judge said.

Nadiem’s lawyer requested the panel of judges to grant the change in Nadiem’s detention status. The judge said they would wait for Nadiem’s condition after further procedures following the hearing in 3 days.

“Okay, looking at the doctor’s statement, further treatment is needed for 5 to 7 days. Okay, if the defendant’s condition allows, we will complete the examinations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then after that, the panel will decide,” the judge said.

In this case, Nadiem is charged with corruption related to the procurement of Chromebook laptops during his tenure as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The project is said to have caused state losses of Rp 2.1 trillion.

Besides Nadiem, there are three other defendants in this case. They are Sri Wahyuningsih, former Director of Primary Schools in the Directorate General of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Secondary Education from 2020-2021; Mulyatsyah, former Director of Junior High Schools in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in 2020; and Ibrahim Arief (Ibam), a consultant for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology during Nadiem’s era.

Sri and Mulyatsyah have been convicted. Sri was sentenced to 4 years in prison and Mulyatsyah to 4.5 years in prison.