Nadiem Hospitalised, Lawyers Request Chromebook Case Hearing to Proceed
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim is ill and receiving treatment at RS Abdi Waluyo. Nadiem’s legal team has requested that the trial continue without his presence in the courtroom.
The continuation of Nadiem Makarim’s trial in the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) took place at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (27/4/2026). Initially, the prosecutor explained Nadiem’s health condition, which prevented him from attending the hearing today.
“We would like to inform you, Your Honour, that the defendant Nadiem Anwar Makarim has been receiving treatment at Abdi Waluyo Hospital since Saturday, 25 April, and continues to do so. According to this doctor’s certificate, observation and inpatient care are required until 3 May 2026, with your permission, Your Honour,” stated the prosecutor.
Nadiem has been receiving treatment at RS Abdi Waluyo since Saturday (25/4). The doctor’s sick note indicates that Nadiem must undergo treatment until Sunday (3/5).
“So, the estimated recovery period is until 3 May 2026?” asked the presiding judge, Purwanto S Abdullah.
“Until 3 May 2026, as per this doctor’s certificate,” replied the prosecutor.
The prosecutor submitted the sick note to the panel of judges. Today’s agenda for Nadiem’s hearing was the examination of mitigating witnesses from Nadiem and his legal team.
“So, we have received the doctor’s certificate from Abdi Waluyo Hospital. Essentially, the treatment will last approximately one to nine days. Here is a summary of the stages. From 25th, today is already the third day,” said the judge.
“This third to ninth day involves physical examinations, treatment, and antibiotic administration. Regarding this, the public prosecutor has stated that on the ninth day, a decision will be made on further actions or otherwise,” added the judge.
Nadiem’s legal team reiterated their request for the panel to approve the transfer of Nadiem’s detention. They also proposed that the examination of mitigating witnesses and experts proceed even without Nadiem’s presence at the hearing.
“We agree to proceed with the examination to facilitate the trial without the defendant’s presence,” said Nadiem’s lawyer, Ari Yusuf Amir.
The prosecutor stated no objection to examining the mitigating expert at today’s hearing without Nadiem’s presence. Nadiem’s legal team said their client has approved this.
Nadiem’s legal team stated they would present two experts: a criminal law expert and an auditor or tax consultant. The judge said they would deliberate until 13:00 WIB to decide whether the hearing would continue without Nadiem’s presence.
“Regarding this, with the new Criminal Procedure Code, the panel of judges needs to deliberate on whether to grant the advocate’s request for examining experts and witnesses, which the prosecutor has approved. We need to review the provisions to avoid errors. It’s also nearly time for the break, so we’ll adjourn until 13:00,” said the judge.
In this case, Nadiem is accused of 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.
The prosecutor stated that the calculated state loss of Rp 2.1 trillion comes from the overpricing of Chromebooks amounting to Rp 1,567,888,662,716.74 (1.5 trillion). Additionally, the unnecessary and unbeneficial procurement of CDM worth USD 44,054,426, equivalent to approximately Rp 621,387,678,730.00 (621 billion).
Besides Nadiem, there are three other defendants in this case: Sri Wahyuningsih, former Director of Primary Schools at the Directorate General of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Secondary Education from 2020-2021; Mulyatsyah, former Director of Junior High Schools at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in 2020; and Ibrahim Arief (IBAM), a consultant at the Ministry during Nadiem’s era.