Nadiem Makarim Submits Third Request for Change in Detention Status in Chromebook Case
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Nadiem Anwar Makarim’s legal adviser, Zaid Mushafi, stated that his client has submitted three applications to change his detention status related to the Chromebook case, in line with the health condition of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019–2024 period.
The change is based on facts from hospital certificates and doctors, which have been submitted since last Ramadan.
“For that reason, at the time we reported or the latest submission, the panel of judges was deliberating,” Zaid said when met at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday.
He hopes the request to change the detention status can be granted by the panel of judges on humanitarian grounds.
Zaid explained that before the trial for the alleged Chromebook corruption case, his client had undergone one surgical procedure. Throughout the trial, Nadiem underwent three more surgeries.
“That’s why, to avoid the illness recurring, we request the change,” he said.
Nevertheless, Zaid emphasised that if the panel of judges approves the change in Nadiem’s detention status, it will not diminish or reduce his client’s determination.
According to him, Nadiem will continue to prove to Indonesia’s national history that he is not guilty of corruption during his tenure as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
Moreover, the expert examination trial has proven that the Annual Tax Notification Letter (SPT) transactions for Nadiem show no incoming funds of Rp809 billion.
“Hopefully, this request to change the detention status is granted and Mr Nadiem can be released soon,” Zaid said.
The corruption is alleged to have been committed by implementing 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 principles.
Nadiem’s actions are charged as being committed jointly with three other defendants in separate trials, namely Ibam, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.
In detail, the state losses caused amount to Rp1.56 trillion related to the educational digitalisation programme at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, as well as US$44.05 million or equivalent to Rp621.39 billion due to the procurement of unnecessary and unbeneficial CDM for the educational digitalisation programme.
With those 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 most of PT AKAB’s funding sources come from Google’s investment worth US$786.99 million.
This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the LHKPN for 2022, which includes asset gains in the form of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.
For his actions, the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology faces penalties under 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.