Nadiem Makarim Ill, Corruption Trial for Chromebook Case Postponed

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Court Panel at the Central Jakarta District Court has postponed the trial in the alleged Chromebook corruption case until Monday (4/5).

Presiding Judge Purwanto Abdullah stated that the postponement was due to the condition of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019–2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, who has been hospitalised since Saturday (25/4).

“The panel of judges has deliberated on this matter. Essentially, the panel has considered the events in the trial and the defendant’s condition,” said the Presiding Judge during the session at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday.

Accordingly, the panel of judges will wait until Nadiem’s condition improves, as a doctor’s letter states that Nadiem must rest for nine days, from Saturday (25/4) to Sunday (3/5).

In the alleged corruption case of the education digitalisation programme involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the years 2019-2022, Nadiem is charged with corruption that harms the state finances by Rp2.18 trillion.

The corruption is alleged to have been committed, among others, by carrying out the procurement of information and communication technology-based learning facilities in the form of Chromebook laptops and CDM for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years not in accordance with the procurement planning and procurement principles.

Nadiem’s actions are charged as being committed jointly with three other defendants in separate trials, namely Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.

Through these actions, Nadiem is alleged to have received money amounting to Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) through PT Gojek Indonesia.

It is stated that the majority of PT AKAB’s funds come from a Google investment of US$786.99 million.

This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the State Organiser’s Wealth Report (LHKPN) for 2022, which includes the acquisition of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.

For his actions, the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology faces a penalty as stipulated in Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law No. 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.