Nadiem Remains Hopeful, Urges Commission III to Address Anomalous Cases
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim claims to remain optimistic about justice in Indonesia, based on the House of Representatives’ Commission III’s spotlight on legal cases deemed anomalous.
“I am still optimistic; I see that there is still hope in this country. I see that Commission III (of the House of Representatives) has paid much attention to cases that disturb consciences with various anomalies and irregularities in those cases,” Nadiem stated during a break in the trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, on Monday (30/3/2026).
Nadiem said that the Commission III’s regular public hearings (RDPU) on anomalous cases provide hope.
However, he claims not to understand what his wrongdoing is that has led him to face trial in the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops.
“I don’t know what my sin is, my mistake. I don’t know why I am in this situation, but I am still optimistic that this country is based on the principles of justice and truth,” Nadiem said before being escorted to a temporary detention room in the court basement.
“We have already sent a letter there, still waiting for the response,” said Ari Yusuf when contacted via text message on Monday afternoon.
Nadiem Makarim is accused of causing a state financial loss of Rp 2.1 trillion in the alleged corruption case of procuring Chromebook-based laptops.
This act was carried out together with three other defendants, namely former Kemendikbudristek technology consultant Ibrahim Arief, former Director of Junior High Schools at Kemendikbudristek Mulyatsyah, and former Director of Primary Schools at Kemendikbudristek Sri Wahyuningsih.
Prosecutors assess that the CDM procurement harmed the state because it was unnecessary and not required in the Kemendikbudristek Education Digitalisation Programme at the time.
Additionally, the Chromebook procurement process is deemed problematic because it did not go through proper feasibility studies.
These Chromebook laptops are said to be unusable in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) areas due to limited internet signals.