When Judges Split in Ibrahim Arief's Verdict: Found Guilty, but Deemed Without Malicious Intent

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced former technology consultant for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Ibrahim Arief alias Ibam, to four years in prison in the case of alleged corruption in the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops on Tuesday (12/5/2026). However, the decision was not entirely unanimous. Two member judges instead submitted a dissenting opinion or differing view. The judges stated that Ibam was not proven to have malicious intent or the authority to determine the Chromebook procurement at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. The verdict against Ibam marks an important chapter in the case of the Chromebook procurement worth trillions of rupiah, which dragged in the education project during the Covid-19 pandemic era. The panel of judges at the Jakarta Corruption Court ultimately sentenced Ibam to four years in prison. “Imposing a sentence on the defendant Ibrahim Arif alias Ibam, therefore, with a prison sentence of 4 years and a fine of Rp500 million,” said the Chief Judge of the Panel, Purwanto S. Abdullah, on Tuesday (12/5/2026). The judges also set consequences if the fine is not paid. Assets or income of the defendant will be seized and auctioned to pay off the unpaid fine. In addition, the panel of judges decided that the city detention period already served by the defendant would be deducted from the prison sentence. “Determining that the city detention period already served by the defendant is fully deducted from the imposed prison sentence,” he said. The panel of judges also ordered that Ibam remain detained. “Determining that the defendant is to be detained,” he emphasised. The judges stated that Ibam was guilty of violating Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Offences Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 number 1 of the old Criminal Code.