Rocky Gerung Hugs Nadiem in Support, Courtroom Erupts in Cheers
Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology under President Joko Widodo, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, resumed his trial on allegations of corruption in the procurement of Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM) on Monday (11/5).
The hearing, which involved the examination of the defendant, was attended by numerous supporters of Nadiem who filled the courtroom, including several online motorcycle taxi drivers and academic Rocky Gerung, who gave him a warm hug.
As Nadiem entered the courtroom at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) of the Central Jakarta District Court (PN), several supporters began shaking his hand. Applause erupted loudly.
Nadiem then came face-to-face with Rocky Gerung, who embraced him as a sign of encouragement.
During the trial, the presiding judge Purwanto S Abdullah inquired about Nadiem’s health condition and his planned surgery. In response, Nadiem stated that his operation would take place the day after tomorrow, Wednesday.
Nadiem said he had received pain relief medication from doctors at Abdi Waluyo Hospital, allowing him to attend the trial in person today.
“Insyaallah, I will do my best to complete today’s trial even if it is lengthy. I will endeavour as best as I can. That is it, Your Honour. So, I am ready to face today’s trial,” Nadiem said at the start of the proceedings.
In the previous hearing, scheduled for Thursday (7/5), it had to be postponed. Nadiem’s health was discussed between his lawyers and the Public Prosecutors (JPU).
Nadiem is facing legal proceedings on charges of corruption that harmed the state finances by Rp2.18 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and CDM within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) from 2019 to 2022.
The corruption is alleged to have been committed, among other things, 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.
These acts were carried out jointly with other defendants in separate trials, namely Ibrahim Arief, 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 at Kemendikbudristek, as well as US$44.05 million or equivalent to Rp621.39 billion due to the procurement of unnecessary and unbeneficial CDM.
Through these actions, Nadiem is alleged to have received Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia. It is stated that the majority of PT AKAB’s funding sources come from Google’s investment of US$786.99 million.