Nadiem Makarim Claims IDR 809 Billion Transaction Did Not Involve Him

Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim has stated that testimony from GoTo CEO Andre Sulistyo during an appeal hearing strengthens his defence regarding a transaction worth IDR 809 billion. Nadiem claimed the transaction was a corporate action that did not involve him and provided him with no economic benefit.

The statement was made by Nadiem following a hearing featuring Andre as a witness at the DKI Jakarta High Court on Wednesday (12/8). According to Nadiem, Andre explained the flow of IDR 809 billion from PT AKAP to PT GI and the transfer back from PT GI to PT AKAP on the same day.

Nadiem said the transaction was never disclosed to him when it occurred. He claimed he only became aware of the transaction during the investigation process. ‘The IDR 809 billion was carried out without my knowledge. I only found out about this transaction during the investigation,’ Nadiem said.

According to Nadiem, the witness’s testimony emphasised that no funds from the transaction were received by him. He also denied gaining any benefit from the transaction or any change in share value. ‘Witness Andre stressed that all evidence is there, the transfer of IDR 809 billion from PT AKAP to PT GI and the transfer back from PT GI to PT AKAP on the same day. Not a single penny was received by me and there was no economic benefit whatsoever,’ he said.

Nadiem also stated that he did not sell any shares nor receive any benefit from the increase in share value related to the transaction. He noted that the entire corporate transaction was recorded in GoTo’s financial statements and had undergone an audit process.

Based on the testimony, Nadiem argued that the previous District Court ruling, which imposed a restitution payment of IDR 809 billion, lacked a strong foundation. He said the ruling did not align with the facts revealed during the trial. ‘I was said to have no element of self-enrichment because there was indeed no flow of funds whatsoever, no PPATK report, yet suddenly a restitution of IDR 809 billion was added at the end,’ he stated.

He expressed hope that the panel of judges at the appeal level would consider all trial facts objectively. Nadiem urged the judges not to be influenced by pressure from any party in making their decision. ‘I only hope that the judges have the courage to follow their conscience, that they do not accept pressure from any party and dare to acquit an innocent person,’ Nadiem said.