Prosecutor Rejects Nadiem's Claim, States JPN Recommendations Not Implemented in Chromebook Procurement
Jakarta, VIVA - Public Prosecutor (JPU) Roy Riady assessed that the statement by former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Nadiem Anwar Makarim, regarding the supervision by state prosecutors (JPN) in the Chromebook procurement was inconsistent with the trial facts.
Roy stated that the trial revealed that the recommendations provided by JPN were not implemented in the procurement process.
“The defendant’s statement, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, claiming that the TIK Chromebook procurement was supervised by the Prosecutor’s Office and followed procedures, is misleading and does not align with the trial facts,” said Roy, quoted on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
He explained that based on documentary evidence, physical evidence, and witness testimonies, the Chromebook procurement was conducted hastily in selecting the provider. During the supervision, JPN reportedly reminded that the procurement process should comply with applicable laws and regulations.
“In the supervision, the Prosecutor’s Office reminded that the procurement must adhere to the prevailing legal provisions,” he said.
However, the trial facts showed that these recommendations were not implemented at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The prosecutor stated that this occurred due to directives from Nadiem as the minister at the time.
Additionally, the procurement was deemed not in line with the needs for utilising information and communication technology (TIK) in schools.
Public policy expert Yanuar Wijanarko assessed that ignoring JPN recommendations in the procurement process could be categorised as administrative violations up to serious negligence.
“Ignoring recommendations that emphasise potential violations could fall into the category of gross negligence, and even be considered intentional if it causes state losses,” said Yanuar.
He added that non-compliance with these recommendations is not merely a technical issue but reflects poor state administrative governance. According to him, disregarding legal recommendations risks causing state financial losses and impacts society.
“Compliance with legal recommendations is crucial to ensure that every rupiah of the state budget is used according to its purpose without violating established regulatory procedures,” he said.
In the previous trial on Monday, 30 March 2026, Nadiem stated that the Attorney General’s Office was involved to monitor the Chromebook procurement process from beginning to end.
“This procurement involved the prosecutor’s office for monitoring. Even when the procurement was carried out by the PPK, there was a prosecutor present,” Nadiem said.