Nadiem Makarim Reveals Details of Rp9.9 Trillion Chromebook Procurement Funds
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, has refuted allegations that the entire Rp9.9 trillion budget in the education digitalisation programme was allocated solely for the procurement of Chromebook laptops. He made the statement while reading his rejoinder at the Corruption Court in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/6).
Nadiem stressed that the Rp9.9 trillion figure frequently cited in the case has obscured the actual facts of budget governance. According to him, only Rp6.7 trillion of the total amount was genuinely used for Chromebook procurement. “The initial narrative claiming that the Chromebook programme consumed Rp9.9 trillion actually obscures the facts of budget governance. The remainder was used for supporting needs such as projectors, modems, Wi-Fi access, and other supporting devices,” Nadiem told the panel of judges.
Furthermore, Nadiem detailed that of the Rp6.7 trillion portion, only Rp2.72 trillion originated from the Ministry of Education and Culture’s state budget under his responsibility. He noted that the budget was utilised gradually over three years, with average annual spending ranging between Rp800 billion and Rp900 billion. He compared this figure to the ministry’s total annual budget, which ranged from Rp80 trillion to Rp90 trillion. “The Chromebook budget managed by the ministry did not reach 1% of the total Ministry of Education and Culture’s state budget,” he added.
Nadiem emphasised that despite its relatively small value compared to the ministry’s total budget, the procurement process was still subject to strict oversight. He cited assistance from the Attorney General’s Office for Civil and State Administration, consultation with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission, and two audits by the Finance and Development Supervisory Agency. Nadiem expressed confidence in the ministry officials who handled the programme, even though he was not directly involved in the technical procurement process. He claimed the entire team upheld the principles of transparency and efficiency.
Nadiem Makarim is currently a defendant in the alleged Chromebook procurement corruption case. Public prosecutors previously demanded an 18-year prison sentence and a Rp1 billion fine, subsidiary to 190 days of confinement. He was also ordered to pay Rp5.6 trillion in restitution over allegations of wealth discrepancies during his tenure as minister.