Nadiem Makarim's Plea Hearing Interrupted by Power Outage

JAKARTA — The reading of the plea, or defence note, for the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, was marked by a power outage incident at the Jakarta Central Corruption Court (Tipikor) on Tuesday (2/6/2026). The blackout occurred while the reading of the plea was in progress, startling those present in the courtroom. Amidst the darkness, the panel of judges immediately requested the IT team to inspect the electrical installation.

Prior to reading his plea, Makarim addressed his current health condition, noting that he is still in the recovery phase following his fifth surgery. He stated that while he is still experiencing some symptoms of illness, he remains optimistic about a full recovery in the coming months. “I am still in the recovery stage and still experiencing some symptoms, but thank God, with a sterile situation, I am confident I will recover in the next few months, Your Honour, and I am ready to undergo today’s plea hearing,” he said.

The Presiding Judge, Purwanto S. Abdullah, inquired about the progress of the medical treatments undergone by the defendant. “It has been completed, Your Honour; my fifth surgery has been performed and, thankfully, went smoothly. I am now in a recovery period for the next few months,” Makarim replied.

The panel of judges also ensured that the recovery process was proceeding according to the schedule previously provided by the doctor. Despite undergoing ongoing medical check-ups and treatment, Nadiem stated he was prepared to read his plea personally in court. “Because the text is large, it will not take more than 50 minutes, Your Honour,” he added. His legal counsel also revealed that the total volume of the defence documents from the legal team reaches approximately 1,400 pages, although not all of it will be read aloud during the trial.