Ready to face prosecution hearing, Nadiem hopes to be acquitted of charges
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister for the 2019-2024 period, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, claimed to be prepared to face the prosecution hearing in the alleged Chromebook corruption case.
He stated that he has mentally prepared himself and does not know what more needs to be proven, as all the trial facts have been clear so far.
“My hope is for an acquittal because the trial facts are very clear,” Nadiem said when met before the prosecution hearing began at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, he will see whether the trial facts will be considered by the public prosecutors (JPU).
Thus, Nadiem only needs to hear the Prosecutor’s Office’s view regarding the trial facts in the upcoming prosecution hearing.
“Whether the trial facts will form the basis of the prosecution or be ignored and disregarded,” he stated.
After the prosecution hearing, he will head straight to the hospital to undergo surgery that evening.
Ahead of the prosecution hearing against Nadiem, the courtroom was filled with visitors wearing white clothing.
Accompanying Nadiem was his wife, Franka Franklin, who also wore a white shirt. Nadiem’s parents, Nono Anwar Makarim and Atika Algadrie, were also present.
In the alleged corruption case of the education digitalisation programme involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) from 2019 to 2022, Nadiem is accused of corruption that harmed the state finances by Rp2.18 trillion.
The corruption is alleged to have been committed, among others, by carrying out the procurement of information and communication technology-based learning facilities in the form of Chromebook laptops and CDM for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years, not in accordance with the procurement planning and procurement principles.
Nadiem’s actions are accused of being carried out together with 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 caused amount to Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme at Kemendikbudristek, as well as US$44.05 million or equivalent to Rp621.39 billion due to the procurement of unnecessary and unbeneficial CDM in the education digitalisation programme.
Through these actions, Nadiem is alleged to have received money amounting to Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) through PT Gojek Indonesia.
It is stated that most of the funds from PT AKAB came from Google’s investment of US$786.99 million.
This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the State Organiser’s Wealth Report (LHKPN) for 2022, which includes the acquisition of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion.
For his actions, Nadiem faces penalties 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 and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code.