Prosecutors Seek 18-Year Sentence for Nadiem Over Alleged Rp 4.8 Trillion Asset Discrepancy

Prosecutors are seeking an 18-year prison sentence, a Rp 1 billion fine, and Rp 5.6 trillion in restitution for former Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim. The charges stem from alleged corruption in the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management for a digitalization program implemented between 2020 and 2022.

According to reports, Nadiem is accused of colluding with Sri Wahyuningsih, Mulyatsyah, Ibrahim Arief (Ibam), and Jurist Tan. Sri, Mulyatsyah, and Ibam have already been convicted and sentenced to prison, while Jurist Tan remains at large.

The prosecution alleges that the project resulted in state losses of approximately Rp 2.1 trillion, with Nadiem allegedly receiving Rp 809 billion in personal enrichment.

Prosecutors also highlighted Nadiem’s 2022 asset declaration, claiming he acquired Rp 5.5 trillion through securities.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Nadiem failed to justify the Rp 809 billion and Rp 4.8 trillion in assets that were not commensurate with his income. This formed the basis for the restitution demand.

“Therefore, during the trial, the defendant could not prove that the Rp 809.596.125.000 and Rp 4.871.469.603.758 represent assets that are not in line with his income or the source of the increase in his assets,” the prosecutor stated while reading Nadiem’s indictment.

Nadiem has consistently reported his assets since becoming Minister of Education in 2019, with fluctuations in the total value. In 2019, his assets were valued at Rp 1.2 trillion, decreasing to Rp 1.19 trillion in 2020 and Rp 1.17 trillion in 2021. In 2022, his assets increased to Rp 4.8 trillion, which is the subject of the prosecution’s scrutiny.

The 2022 asset declaration shows Nadiem owning seven plots of land and buildings in Rote Ndao, Gianyar, and South Jakarta, totaling Rp 55.3 billion. Compared to 2021, this represents an increase of one unit with a value of Rp 4.3 billion. He also reported owning a Honda Brio worth Rp 162 million, but fewer vehicles compared to 2021, as he no longer reported ownership of a Toyota Vellfire and an Audi Q5. Other movable assets were valued at Rp 752 million, the same as in 2021.

In 2022, Nadiem reported owning securities worth Rp 5.5 trillion, a significant increase from Rp 1.3 trillion in 2021. He also had cash and equivalent assets worth Rp 12.2 billion, up from Rp 5.7 billion in 2021. Other assets were valued at Rp 3.4 billion, compared to Rp 2.9 billion in 2021. Nadiem had outstanding debts of Rp 790 billion in 2022, an increase from Rp 193 billion in 2021.

In total, Nadiem’s assets in 2022 amounted to Rp 4.8 trillion. However, his assets decreased to Rp 906 billion in 2023 and Rp 600 billion in 2024.

Nadiem’s legal team has explained the Rp 809 billion mentioned in the prosecutor’s indictment, stating that there is no evidence that Nadiem received any personal gain from the Chromebook project. They argue that his wealth decreased by 51% during his tenure as minister. The Rp 809.596.125.000 transfer from PT AKAB to PT Gojek Indonesia in 2021 was a purely internal corporate transaction within PT AKAB and has no connection to Nadiem or the Ministry of Education and Culture. This transaction was an administrative step in preparation for the IPO of PT Gojek Tokopedia (formerly PT AKAB) in 2022.

The legal team further explained that PT Gojek Indonesia was established in 2010 to accommodate ojek drivers as a transportation company. Between 2014 and 2012, PT AKAB was formed to receive foreign investment from angel investors and venture capitalists, with Google investing in PT AKAB in 2018. From 2014 to 2021, PT Gojek Indonesia gradually received loans from PT AKAB, which were used as working capital. In 2021, PT AKAB injected funds into PT Gojek, amounting to Rp 809 billion, through a capital increase. This was used by PT Gojek Indonesia to repay its debt to PT AKAB, formalizing PT Gojek Indonesia as a controlled subsidiary of PT AKAB.

The legal team also addressed the fluctuations in Nadiem’s assets, attributing them to market dynamics and stock price changes. They argued that the prosecution’s claim of Nadiem enriching himself is further refuted by the fact that his assets decreased significantly in 2023, to around Rp 1.524 trillion, from Rp 5.590 trillion in 2022. This decrease is directly correlated with the decline in the stock price of PT AKAB.