Nadiem Makarim Says He is Sad About Spending Ramadan and Eid in Detention Due to Chromebook Corruption Case
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, has expressed sadness about observing Ramadan and celebrating his first Eid separated from his family. Makarim is currently being held in a detention facility (rutan) due to allegations of corruption in the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) systems.
“I am very sad that I cannot be with my family, with my children. It is deeply saddening for me,” Makarim said when encountered before a witness examination hearing at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday (9 March 2026).
Despite undergoing medical treatment, Makarim stated that he remained grateful to be able to observe Ramadan fasting this year. Within the detention facility, he said he received support from fellow detainees, including when conducting joint breaking of the fast activities.
As Eid al-Fitr approaches, Makarim hopes his family will be able to visit him in detention. This moment will mark the first time for the former Gojek chief executive to celebrate Eid behind bars.
“This is my first Eid separated from my family,” he said briefly before entering the courtroom.
In the proceedings, Makarim has been charged with corruption offences relating to the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) systems within the Education Ministry during the 2019-2022 budget years.
According to the prosecution’s charging documents, his alleged actions are said to have caused state financial losses valued at Rp2.18 trillion. The prosecution states that the procurement of technology-based learning resources did not align with planning and violated government goods and services procurement principles.
Makarim is not alone. He has been charged together with three other defendants in separate documents: Ibam, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih. Additionally, there is another individual, Jurist Tan, who remains a fugitive.
The prosecution also detailed alleged fund flows received by Makarim. He is alleged to have received money totalling Rp809.59 billion from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) through PT Gojek Indonesia.
Notably, the majority of funds at PT AKAB are said to originate from a major technology investment by Google valued at 786.99 million US dollars. This aligns with Makarim’s Statement of Wealth and Assets (LHKPN) from 2022, which showed ownership of securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion.
For these alleged actions, Makarim faces penalties under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 read together with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Offences, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001.
Makarim has expressed disappointment with the Corruption Court’s panel of judges’ decision rejecting his exception in the alleged Chromebook procurement corruption case. The prosecution denies Makarim’s exception, and the case continues with ongoing hearings examining new facts relating to market pricing and allegations of state losses.