Nadiem Saddened and Shocked by Ibrahim Arief's 4-Year Prison Sentence in Chromebook Case

Jakarta - Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim is saddened and concerned about the four-year prison sentence imposed on former Kemendikbudristek technology consultant Ibrahim Arief in the corruption case regarding the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops.

Nadiem considers the verdict illogical because he believes Ibrahim Arief, alias Ibam, is not guilty in this matter.

“I express my concern, hearing Bang Ibam’s verdict yesterday. It is very saddening for me,” Nadiem stated ahead of the trial on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

According to Nadiem, Ibrahim should have been acquitted by the judge.

“I am just shocked and stunned that Ibam was not ruled not guilty yesterday. That is something I find very unreasonable,” he said.

Nadiem also views the judge’s dissenting opinion in Ibam’s verdict as the correct stance.

Nadiem, who is facing a prosecution demand today, hopes to be demanded acquittal based on the trial facts.

Previously reported, the Jakarta Corruption Court panel of judges sentenced Ibam to four years in prison.

“The panel sentences the defendant Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam with a prison term of 4 years and a fine of Rp 500 million,” said Chief Judge Purwanto S. Abdullah on Tuesday (12/5/2026).

The panel assessed that the Chromebook procurement corruption had a major impact on the education sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The defendant’s actions were committed in the education sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in double impacts: financial losses to the state and hindrance to the equitable quality of education for Indonesian children,” explained Chief Judge Purwanto S. Abdullah.

The panel also highlighted the substantial state losses in the 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Year Chromebook procurement project.