Wife reveals reasons behind Nadiem Makarim's apology

Jakarta — Kompas.com — Franka Franklin, wife of former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim, has revealed the reasons behind her husband’s apology delivered on 14 April 2026. She said that during the legal process related to the Chromebook corruption allegations, Nadiem had undergone extensive reflection. In that reflection, Franka said her husband felt that there were people who might have been hurt or sidelined during his tenure as Mendikbudristek.

“I believe that my husband, in that reflection, acknowledged that there may have been people who felt sidelined or hurt,” Franka said on ROSI at Kompas TV, on the evening of Thursday, 21 May 2026.

However, Franka stressed that Nadiem’s apology should not be interpreted as a form of admission of guilt for the case that currently entangles him. “But I hope it is not equated with admitting the fault. Because there is a difference between sentiment and fact,” she said.

Franka added that the Chromebook corruption case journey has become a long moment of reflection for Nadiem. “If I possessed good integrity and only thought about doing the job to the best of my ability, today we realise that that is not enough,” Franka said.

In Nadiem’s reflection, Franka noted an awareness that moving something large requires collaboration from a vast number of people.

Nadiem’s apology was delivered shortly after he appeared at the Chromebook corruption trial on Tuesday, 14 May 2026. “I offer my sincerest apologies if there was any words or actions of mine that were inappropriate,” Nadiem Makarim said.