Nadiem's Chromebook Appeal Highlights Rp 809 Billion Replacement Payment

Former Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim attended his first appeal hearing in the Chromebook procurement case at the DKI Jakarta High Court on Wednesday. His lawyer, Zaid Mushafi, explained that the appeal aims to critique the judges’ considerations in the corruption case. One of the contested points is the court’s finding regarding a power of attorney for managing Nadiem’s shares in PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB) and PT Gojek Indonesia, which was granted to another party. Another lawyer, Dodi S Abdulkadir, highlighted the panel’s consideration that Google benefited from the Chromebook case. “The Judex Facti considered Google as a party that profited. Yet, neither the indictment, the trial, nor the BPKP audit report ever proved how much or in what form Google profited, nor was it ever proven that the appellant, as Education Minister, committed any act aimed at benefiting Google,” Dodi stated during the hearing. Dodi added that the Chromebooks were beneficial for students and teachers in daily learning activities, and that the panel ignored a Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) audit which found no overpricing in the procurement. The defence also argued that the panel erred in imposing a replacement payment penalty on Nadiem. The Attorney General’s Office has also filed an appeal against the Corruption Court’s verdict. Nadiem was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In the case of alleged corruption in the education digitalisation programme involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019-2022 period, he was also fined Rp 1 billion, subsidiary to 190 days’ imprisonment, and ordered to pay Rp 809.59 billion in restitution, subsidiary to 5 years’ imprisonment. The panel of judges demanded Nadiem Makarim pay the restitution because he was proven to have received Rp 809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia. The majority of PT AKAB’s funds came from a Google investment worth 786.99 million US dollars. Nadiem was found to have caused state losses of Rp 1.56 trillion due to the Chromebook and CDM procurement, which was deemed inconsistent with procurement planning and principles.