Witness Reveals Nadiem Transferred Additional Funds to Special Staff Using Personal Money

Deswitha Arvinchi, who served as secretary at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology during the 2019–2024 period, testified that she was tasked with reminding former Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim to transfer additional funds to his special staff members. Deswitha stated that the supplementary money came from Nadiem’s personal funds.

She made the remarks whilst testifying as a witness in the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) licences at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Monday (23 February 2026). The defendant in the trial is Nadiem Anwar Makarim.

“So what were your duties as secretary?” the prosecutor asked.

“My job was to manage the minister’s schedule, and also to coordinate all matters related to official duties — essentially everything along those lines,” Deswitha replied.

Deswitha acknowledged that her responsibilities included managing Nadiem’s official schedule as well as reminding him to transfer additional funds to his special staff. There were five special staff members during Nadiem’s tenure as Education Minister.

“Apart from managing the schedule, were there additional duties you received from the Minister?” the prosecutor asked.

“As per my examination records, I also stated that I was tasked with reminding the Minister to transfer additional funds to his special staff. This was from his personal account,” Deswitha replied.

“Transferring additional money to the minister’s special staff? Such as Fiona, Jurist Tan, and others?” the prosecutor asked.

“And there were three other special staff members, as there were five in total,” Deswitha answered.

The prosecutor probed the source of the supplementary funds that Nadiem used for transfers to his special staff. Deswitha confirmed that the money came from Nadiem’s personal bank account.

“Where did the money come from?” the prosecutor asked.

“From the Minister’s personal account, his personal funds,” Deswitha replied.

In this case, Nadiem is charged with corruption related to the procurement of Chromebook laptops during his tenure as Education Minister. The project is alleged to have caused state losses of Rp 2.1 trillion.

Nadiem had previously filed a preliminary objection. The judges rejected the objection and ordered the trial to proceed to the evidentiary stage.