Reading Plea, Nadiem Makarim: I am not a perfect minister
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019–2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, admitted that he was not a perfect leader during his tenure.
“I became a minister at the age of 35 without experience in education, bureaucracy, or politics,” Nadiem stated while reading his plea (nota pembelaan) during a hearing at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.
Reflecting on his experience in the private sector, Nadiem noted that everything moved rapidly, honesty in opinion was valued, and all decisions were data-driven. In contrast, he observed that within the government, rapid movement can be risky, directness is often interpreted as arrogance, and many decisions are made based on political considerations.
Upon entering government, Nadiem hoped that by bringing high-achieving young professionals into the bureaucracy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) could become more effective and agile. While that strategy saw some success, he continued, an unanticipated consequence was significant friction from internal parties who felt marginalised. “Many saw their livelihoods threatened, and many were offended because they felt unappreciated,” he revealed.
However, he added that the reality was quite the opposite, as the Chromebook programme was identified as one of the most beneficial initiatives in the field. Nadiability added that, in fact, the Chromebook laptops saved the budget and impacted millions of students and teachers across Indonesia. “All procedures were carried out with the principle of prudence. It is truly saddening that the indictment claims Chromebooks were not based on real needs, when during the COVID-19 period, almost all teachers simultaneously demanded ICT (information and communication technology) facilities,” Nadiem added.
Nadiem is one of the defendants in a corruption case involving the educational digitalisation programme, specifically the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within Kemendikbudristek between 2019 and 2022. In this case, Nadiem is accused of corruption causing state losses of Rp2.18 trillion.
The corruption allegedly involved conducting the procurement of ICT-based learning tools for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years in a manner inconsistent with procurement planning and principles. The founder of one of the involved technology companies is accused of acting alongside three other defendants in separate trials, namely Ibrahim Arief (alias Ibam), Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.
In detail, the state losses include Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme, as well as 44.05 million US dollars (equivalent to 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. It is noted that a large portion of PT AKAB’s funds originated from a Google investment worth 786.99 million US dollars. This is reflected in Nadiem’s 2022 Wealth Report (LHKPN), which recorded securities valued at Rp5.59 trillion.
For these actions, the former Minister faces criminal penalties regulated under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st KUHP.