Reflecting on Service to the Government, Nadiem: The Reward I Received is Iron Bars

JAKARTA — The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, admitted to feeling devastated by the legal proceedings against him, stating that he had sacrificed much during his service to the nation. This was expressed by Nadiem while reading his plea, or defence note, at the Jakarta Central Corruption Court on Tuesday (2/6/202<0xA0>6). However, he lamented that he has instead ended up facing criminal prosecution. “The reward I received is iron bars,” Nadiem told the panel of judges. “Imagine how heartbroken I am,” he added. He questioned the state’s attitude towards him after all the sacrifices made during his tenure as minister. “Is the state this cruel to its servants?” Nadiem asked. “If all high-achieving individuals refuse the mandate to serve because they are too comfortable, what will become of our nation’s future?” He stated that while opportunities to seek financial gain are always available, the opportunity to enact significant change for the nation does not come twice. “The opportunity to make money will always exist in my life. But the opportunity to make a great leap for the nation’s next generation only comes once in a lifetime,” he said. Nadiem also expressed hope that his children would one day understand why he chose to serve the state. “I hope that in the future, my children will watch this plea. And believe that their father never regretted serving the country,” he said. In addition to imprisonment, Nadiem is facing a fine of Rp 1 billion, as well as restitution payments amounting to Rp 809.596 billion and Rp 4.871 trillion. Prosecutors claim these values stem from wealth that is allegedly disproportionate to the defendant’s legitimate income. If he is unable to pay the restitution, the prosecution seeks an additional nine-year prison sentence.