National Figures Submit Amicus Curiae for Nadiem Makarim

A group of national figures including former public officials, academics, and anti-corruption activists formally submitted an amicus curiae to the Jakarta Central Corruption Court on Monday (25 May). The move aims to monitor the corruption case involving former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim regarding Chromebook procurement. The amicus curiae document was prepared as an independent legal opinion to assist the panel of judges in assessing the case objectively. The figures highlighted alleged fundamental errors in the application of Articles 2(1) and 3 of the Anti-Corruption Law during enforcement. Former BUMN Minister Laksamana Sukardi stated that the essence of corruption should focus on malicious intent (mens rea) and fraudulent conduct, not merely claims of state financial loss. ‘State financial loss is historically and conceptually a consequential element, not a primary one, and cannot stand alone without proof of corrupt intent,’ Sukardi said at the Jakarta Central District Court on Monday (25 May). Applicants argue that enforcement tends to focus solely on state financial loss without strong evidence of personal enrichment. This approach risks criminalising policy decisions, creating legal uncertainty for public officials. In their objections, the amici highlighted ambiguities in the specific corrupt acts cited in Nadiem’s indictment. They argue that public policy decisions regarding Chromebook procurement have been conflated with criminal procurement procedures. Furthermore, public narratives alleging Google’s undue benefit are not explicitly reflected in the indictment. The figures stressed that third-party gains do not automatically constitute corruption without legally valid causal evidence. The document was signed by influential figures including Amien Sunaryadi, Bambang Harymurti, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Goenawan Mohamad, Hilmar Farid, Marzuki Darusman, Siti Musdah Mulia, and Natalia Soebagjo, who stated the action aims to ensure the judicial process aligns with the rule of law and human rights principles. Legal and prosecution analyst Fajar Trio deemed the prosecutor’s decision to charge former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim with layered penalties appropriate. The Jakarta Corruption Court panel rejected Nadiem Makarim’s request to attend the Chromebook corruption trial via Zoom due to health reasons. Nadiem Makarim attended the Chromebook corruption trial at the Jakarta Central District Court despite illness and upcoming surgery preparations. Former Director of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, Purwadi Sutanto, admitted receiving $7,000. Three former officials from the Ministry of Education and Culture faced their first hearing, during which the indictment was read, in connection with the alleged Chromebook procurement corruption case. The Jakarta Central District Court will livestream Nadiem Makarim’s plea hearing on YouTube on 2 June 2026 to accommodate public interest. Nadiem Makarim’s legal team stated that the verdict in the case against Ibrahim Arief, or Ibam, regarding the Chromebook procurement allegations remains non-final. International media The New York Times highlighted the 18-year prison sentence sought for Nadiem Makarim as a threat to Indonesian democracy and young talent.