Nadiem wears ride-hailing jacket during plea hearing in Chromebook case
The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, wore an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver’s jacket during the reading of his plea in the alleged Chromebook corruption case. Arriving at the Central Jakarta District Court at approximately 09:00 WIB on Tuesday, Nadiem initially arrived wearing a light blue long-sleeved batik shirt. After providing a statement to the media in the court lobby, he was presented with an ojol jacket by a driver before entering the Muhammad Hatta Ali Corruption Courtroom.
Nadiem argued that his case differs from others because he maintains that all elements of the charges are unproven, rather than just one or two. He stated that his legal team would comprehensively detail these facts during the plea. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present his defence in relatively good health.
Nadiem is one of the defendants in the alleged corruption case involving the education digitalisation programme, specifically the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology between 2019 and 2022. According to the Central Jakarta District Court’s Case Tracking Information System (SIPP), the hearing was scheduled for 10:00 WIB, presided over by Chief Judge Purwanto Abdullah.
The plea will be read individually by Nadiem and his legal team. Previously, Nadiem Makarim faced a prison sentence of 18 years, a fine of Rp1 billion (subsidised by 190 days in prison), and a restitution requirement of Rp5.67 trillion (subsidised by 9 years in prison). The corruption allegations suggest that the procurement of ICT-based learning tools for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years did not comply with procurement planning and principles.
The founder of one of Indonesia’s major technology companies is accused of acting in concert with three other defendants in separate trials: Ibrahim Arief (alias Ibam), Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who remains a fugitive. The alleged state losses include Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme, as well as 44.05 million USD (approximately Rp621.39 billion) due to the procurement of unnecessary and non-beneficial CDM. It is alleged that Nadiem received Rp809.59 billion from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia, with much of PT AKAB’s funding reportedly originating from a 786.99 million USD investment from Google. This is reflected in Nadiem’s 2022 State Official Wealth Report (LHKPN), which recorded securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion. The former minister faces charges under the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes.