Nadiem Makarim's defence plea hearing to be broadcast live
Jakarta Central District Court will broadcast live or stream the defence plea hearing in the Chromebook corruption case involving defendant Nadiem Anwar Makarim.
Presiding Judge Husnul Khotimah stated that live streaming via YouTube @PengadilanNegeriJakartaPusat is being provided following widespread social media influencer calls for public ‘watch parties’ for Nadiem Makarim’s plea hearing.
“We are offering live streaming in addition to media coverage,” Husnul said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday.
As such, Husnul said, the public can watch the plea hearing from home without needing to attend the court in person.
On the day of the plea hearing, Monday 2 June, the courtroom will accommodate 70 people.
This includes 20 family members, 10 public figures, and 40 journalists from media outlets.
Previously, Nadiem Makarim faced a prosecution request for an 18-year prison sentence, a fine of Rp1 billion, with 190 days’ imprisonment in default of payment, and Rp5.67 trillion in restitution, with nine years’ imprisonment in default of payment.
In the alleged corruption case involving the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s digital education program for Chromebook and Chrome Device Management (CDM) procurement between 2019 and 2022, he is accused of causing Rp2.18 trillion in state losses.
The alleged corruption involved the procurement of IT-based learning tools, including Chromebooks and CDM, for the 2020-2022 fiscal years, which did not comply with procurement planning and principles.
The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is accused of acting in concert with three other defendants in separate trials: Ibrahim Arief (alias Ibam), Mulyatsyah, Sri Wahyuningsih, and Jurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.
Detailed state losses include Rp1.56 trillion from the digital education program and US$44.05 million (Rp621.39 billion) due to unnecessary and ineffective CDM procurement.
Nadiem is alleged to have received Rp809.59 billion from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia.
It was stated that most of PT AKAB’s funds originated from a US$786.99 million Google investment.
This is evident from Nadiem’s 2022 State Officials’ Asset Declaration (LHKPN), which recorded Rp5.59 trillion in securities holdings.
For his alleged actions, the former minister faces charges under Article 2(1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55(1)(i) of the Criminal Code.