Nadiem Makarim wears detection bracelet on ankle to attend prosecution hearing
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, was seen wearing a detection bracelet on his ankle while attending the prosecution hearing in the alleged Chromebook corruption case.
The detection bracelet was worn as a tool to track his whereabouts during house arrest since Tuesday (12/5).
“This cannot be removed,” said Nadiem when met before the prosecution hearing began at the Corruption Court within the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.
Although released from state detention (rutan), he claimed he was not allowed to travel anywhere except to the court for hearings and to the hospital for treatment.
Presiding Judge Purwanto Abdullah stated that the request was granted considering Nadiem’s health condition.
“Changing the type of detention for the defendant is effective from 12 May 2026,” said the Presiding Judge during the defendant examination hearing at the Corruption Court within the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday (11/5) evening.
Nevertheless, the Presiding Judge emphasised that Nadiem must remain in his residence for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and thus may not leave his residence except for certain activities.
The specified activities include undergoing surgery on Wednesday (13/5) and subsequent medical treatment at the hospital, as well as attending court hearings. For medical check-ups, prior written permission from the Presiding Judge is required based on a written recommendation from a doctor.
During house arrest, the Presiding Judge stated that Nadiem must also wear an electronic monitoring device on his body and must report to the public prosecutor (JPU) twice a week.
If Nadiem violates one or more of these conditions, his detention type will be switched back to rutan detention.
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 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 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.
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 the source of funds for PT AKAB comes from Google’s investment worth 786.99 million US dollars.
This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the State Organiser’s Wealth Report (LHKPN) for 2022, which includes asset acquisition in the form of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.
For his actions, the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology faces punishment as stipulated in Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.