Verdict hearing for Nadiem Makarim corruption case scheduled for next week

The verdict hearing for the alleged Chromebook corruption case, which names former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019–2024 period Nadiem Anwar Makarim as a defendant, is scheduled for Tuesday (30/6). Presiding Judge Purwanto Abdullah stated that the panel had originally intended to deliver the verdict on Thursday (25/6), but due to his somewhat impaired health, additional time was needed to finalise the ruling. “After this, we will deliberate. The defendant is to attend the next session scheduled for Tuesday, 30 June 2026,” the Presiding Judge said during the rejoinder hearing at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. The Presiding Judge noted that all arguments, evidence, and opinions have been heard openly by all parties during the trial. Therefore, the time has come for the panel of judges, with clear hearts and firm conviction, to deliberate and deliver a verdict, entrusting all justice to the reading of the ruling. Nadiem is one of the defendants in the alleged corruption case involving the education digitalisation programme, specifically the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology from 2019 to 2022. He was previously sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment, a fine of Rp1 billion, subsidiary to 190 days’ imprisonment, and restitution of Rp5.67 trillion, subsidiary to 9 years’ imprisonment. The alleged corruption includes carrying out the procurement of information and communication technology-based learning tools in the form of Chromebook laptops and CDM for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years, which did not comply with procurement planning and principles. The actions of the founder of a technology company were charged as having been committed jointly with three other defendants in separate trials, namely Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, Mulyatsyah, and Sri Wahyuningsih, as well as Jurist Tan, who remains at large. In detail, the resulting state losses include Rp1.56 trillion related to the education digitalisation programme at the Ministry, and USD 44.05 million, equivalent to Rp621.39 billion, due to the procurement of unnecessary and useless CDM for the programme. Through these actions, Nadiem allegedly received Rp809.59 billion originating from PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB) via PT Gojek Indonesia. It was stated that a large portion of PT AKAB’s funds came from a Google investment worth USD 786.99 million. This can be seen from Nadiem’s wealth recorded in the State Officials’ Wealth Report (LHKPN) in 2022, which showed the acquisition of securities worth Rp5.59 trillion. For his actions, the former Minister of Education and Culture faces criminal charges under Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) sub-paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.