Nadiem Makarim Moved by Support from Online Taxi Drivers During Plea Hearing
The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (2019–2024), Nadiem Makarim, underwent his plea hearing at the Corruption Crimes Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday (2/6). Hundreds of online taxi (ojol) drivers crowded the court area to provide moral support to the technology company founder. Nadiem admitted to being moved by the loyalty of the drivers, who accompanied him from his detention centre to the courtroom.
“Thank you, I am grateful to all the voices of support that defend the truth. I am quite moved to see the drivers outside accompanying me, with many even joining from the streets,” N/a said upon arriving at the Central Jakarta District Court.
Nadiem emphasised that the legal case against him is not merely a personal matter, but a test for Indonesia’s legal system. He expressed hope that the trial would serve as a lesson for the improvement of the national system in the future.
Nadiem Makarim is embroiled in an alleged corruption case concerning the education digitalisation programme, specifically related to the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019–2022 fiscal year. According to the indictment, the project was deemed inconsistent with planning and procurement principles.
In this case, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) had previously handed down a heavy sentence demand against Nadiem. State losses in this case are estimated to reach IDR 2.18 trillion. The prosecutor alleged that Nadiem received funds amounting to IDR 809.59 billion from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia, the majority of which originated from Google investments.
The plea hearing was presided over by Chief Judge Purwanto Abdullah in the Muhammad Hatta Ali courtroom. In addition to Nadiem, the case involves several other individuals, including Ibrahim Arief, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, while another suspect, Jurist Tan, remains a fugitive.