Nadiem Expresses Gratitude to Prabowo and Megawati in Chromebook Case Plea

JAKARTA — The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, expressed his appreciation to the Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia while delivering his plea at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (2/6/2026).

Nadiem paid his respects to President Prabowo Subianto, the 7th President Joko Widodo, the 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and the 5th President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

“Thanks to the democratic legacy they fought for, today I am able to stand before Your Honours, the Panel of Judges, to present my defence as a citizen. This is a right that serves as one of the most precious pillars of the Republic we all love,” Nadiem stated.

“And certainly, I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart the entire Indonesian people who have followed this trial, helping to uncover the truth in their own ways. Because of all this support and prayer, I do not stand alone today,” he added.

In his plea, Nadiem also expressed his gratitude after being granted permission to undergo health recovery at home following his fifth surgery.

“After almost nine months in prison, it is difficult to find the words to explain my happiness at being able to reunite with my four children during this recovery period,” he explained.

In addition to his family, Nadiem extended his thanks to doctors and medical personnel, online motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, lecturers, students, alumni of the Kampus Merdeka programme, his legal advisory team, as well as professors and legal figures who continue to advocate for justice.

During the hearing, the Public Prosecutor demanded an 18-year prison sentence for Nadiem.

“(Requesting the panel of judges) to sentence the Defendant, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, to 18 years of imprisonment, reduced by the time the Defendant has spent in detention, with an order for the Defendant to be immediately held in a State Detention Centre,” the prosecutor stated.

“(Regarding restitution) it involves the Defendant’s wealth which is disproportionate to his legitimate income or is suspected to stem from corruption,” the prosecutor added.

Should the restitution not be paid, the prosecutor requested an additional prison sentence of nine years.