Nadiem Makarim Faces Possible Further Surgery Amid Chromebook Procurement Corruption Trial
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Nadiem Makarim, disclosed that his health has deteriorated again and that he could require further surgery. The remarks were made at the continued trial into the alleged corruption in the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta District Court, on Thursday, 5 March.
Nadiem told the panel of judges, led by Purwanto S Abdullah, that his latest MRI results show a setback in his healing. ‘Your Honour, I am prepared to face today’s session. However, based on yesterday’s MRI results, the report is not good; there is a setback in my recovery,’ he said.
He added that the latest medical examination detected a new reinfection in the area of a previous operation, along with external wounds that have not yet fully healed. This raises the possibility of invasive treatment in the near future. ‘There is a new internal reinfection, plus external wounds. So, most likely I will require intensive care, perhaps a procedure, perhaps another operation like the one months ago,’ he explained.
In response, Judge Purwanto urged Nadiem to remain cooperative in reporting his physical condition and emphasised that the defendant should not push himself if unwell during the proceedings. ‘For this hearing, if you feel a bit unwell, please inform us. Do not push yourself,’ Judge Purwanto said, while asking the prison authorities and prosecutors to be ready to coordinate medical care if needed.
Nadiem’s health has shadowed the legal process from the outset. At the end of December 2025, he underwent surgery that caused the arraignment to be postponed until 5 January 2026, after 21 days of post-operative care.
In the case, the public prosecutor charged Nadiem Makarim along with three other defendants — Ibrahim Arief (former Technology Consultant), Mulyatsyah (former SMP Director), and Sri Wahyuningsih (former SD Director) — with causing state financial losses of Rp2.1 trillion. Nadiem is specifically accused of enriching himself by Rp809 billion. Prosecutors say the figure relates to Google’s investment in PT AKAB (Gojek) and alleged abuse of authority in directing IT procurement specifications so that they converged on Chrome-based products.
The defendants are charged under Articles 2(1) and 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Act along with Article 55(1) 1 of the Indonesian Penal Code, carrying severe penalties.
The latest hearing on 2 March opened new facts clarifying market prices and debunking claims of state losses. The prosecutors said that following orders from Nadiem, two-level structural officials such as directors and the procurement committee were pressured through SKM Jurist Tan and Fiona as special assistants.
Nadiem, who previously held the Mendikbudristek post, admitted being hospitalised for four days due to bleeding while attending the Chromebook laptop procurement case at the Tipikor Court.
The price premium in the alleged scheme is believed to elicit price-fixing and monopoly practices by certain parties. Roy said LKPP testified that platform prices were not controlled and tended to be high, prompting changes.
Nadiem Makarim’s lawyers protested strongly against a ban on him giving a press statement after the Chromebook case hearing, arguing that the move was arbitrary and a human-rights issue.