TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim claimed to have been only involved in five specific discussions about the procurement of Chromebooks during his five-year term. He stated that this fact was revealed during the trial.
"One of the most important findings from the trial is the minimal discussions involving me on the topic of laptops and Chromebooks," Nadiem said while reading his defense statement at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Nadiem stated that these five discussions occurred because his subordinates sought his opinion on the laptops to be used in the education digitalization program. Conversely, he admitted to having far more discussions about the development of applications, which was the main goal of the program.
"My chat interactions regarding application development reached hundreds. This happened because the actual selection of IT specifications is only a small part of the overall education digitalization program, merely an enabling factor, not its main substance," said Nadiem.
He mentioned that during his tenure as minister, only one meeting specifically discussed the laptop procurement policy, which took place on May 6, 2020. "In comparison, meetings discussing educational applications were held twice a month throughout my term," he said.
According to Nadiem, the minimal interaction regarding Chromebooks indicates that the main focus of the education digitalization program he led was on application development. He believed that this aspect had a greater impact on students, teachers, and lecturers. "Not on the selection of the laptop devices," he said.
Nadiem Anwar Makarim read his defense statement as the final plea before the panel of judges delivered their verdict. The defense statement was a response to the prosecutor's rebuttal, which was a reply to the defendant's plea at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court.
Nadiem is one of the defendants in the alleged corruption case involving the digitalization of education program through the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology during the 2019-2022 period.Previously, the prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of 18 years, a fine of Rp1 billion or a 190-day substitute imprisonment, as well as a repayment of Rp809.59 billion and Rp4.87 trillion.
The total amount of restitution demanded reached Rp5.68 trillion, with a substitute of nine years in prison. The prosecutor believed that Nadiem violated Article 603 jo. Article 18 of the Anti-Corruption Law jo. Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code Law.
Furthermore, the prosecutor accused Nadiem of violating Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 jo. Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Law jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) point 1 of the Criminal Code Law. The prosecutor alleged that Nadiem enriched himself by Rp809.59 billion and enriched 12 private suppliers of Chromebooks.
According to the prosecutor, the selection of Chromebooks was solely for Nadiem's business interests aiming for Google to increase its investment and fund disbursement to PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB), a company founded by Nadiem. After the merger of Gojek and Tokopedia in 2021, PT AKAB changed its name to PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia. Google was recorded as one of Gojek's long-standing business partners before the merger with Tokopedia.
The prosecutor deemed the procurement of Chromebooks to have caused state financial losses amounting to Rp2.18 trillion. The loss comprised Rp1.56 trillion from the procurement of Chromebook laptops based on the results of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPKP), as well as US$44.05 million or the equivalent of Rp621.38 billion due to the procurement of Chrome Device Management, calculated using the lowest exchange rate from August 2020 to December 2022.
Read: Court Sets Next Week for Nadiem Makarim Sentencing Hearing
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Nadiem Saddened by Being Labeled 'White-Collar Criminal' in His Trial
21 hari lalu
The Attorney General's Office used the term in its indictment, alleging Nadiem exploited bureaucratic loopholes and his position for personal gain.
Ride-Hailing Drivers Rally Behind Nadiem Before Defense Hearing
21 hari lalu
Dozens of ride-hailing drivers gathered at the Central Jakarta courthouse and attended the hearing in support of Nadiem Makarim.
Nadiem Makarim's Lawyers Deny Mobilizing Influencers in Chromebook Case
34 hari lalu
Nadiem Makarim's legal team denies allegations of mobilizing influencers and asserts that they are only presenting the trial facts to the public.
Prosecutors Allege White-Collar Crime Scheme in Nadiem Makarim Case
40 hari lalu
Prosecutor Roy Riady said the alleged scheme exploited bureaucratic loopholes and official authority for Nadiem's personal benefit.
Nadiem Makarim Hugs Gojek Drivers Following 18-Year Jail Demand
40 hari lalu
One of the drivers said he would continue supporting Nadiem regardless of the case, calling him his "economic hero".
Nadiem Faces Rp5.6tn Demand: 'They Know I Don't Have the Money'
41 hari lalu
The prosecutor demands Nadiem Makarim to pay a reimbursement of Rp5.6 trillion in the corruption case of Chromebook and Chrome Device Management procurement for the fiscal year 2020-2022.
New Testimony in Nadiem's Alleged Chromebook Corruption Case
48 hari lalu
Judges extended the trial of Nadiem Makarim in the Chromebook corruption case. Former Google executives testified.
Nadiem Makarim Asks Court to Summon Six Witnesses in Chromebook Case
14 April 2026
The former Minister of Education Nadiem Makarim requested prosecutors to bring six witnesses to the trial of the Chromebook corruption case, but the prosecution deemed that the existing evidence is sufficient.
Chromebook Graft Case: Former Nadiem Staff Says She Earned Rp50 Million a Month
28 Januari 2026
Former staff member of Nadiem Makarim, Fiona Handayani, admitted to receiving a salary of Rp50 million per month while serving as a special staff.
Chromebook Graft Case: Nadiem Denies Meeting Google
27 Januari 2026
Defendant in the corruption case surrounding the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops, Nadiem Makarim, denied the testimony of witness from Google.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4382809/original/074926600_1680593144-top-view-hand-holding-silver-coins.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4016804/original/046265400_1652067919-KPK_4.jpeg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5518245/original/007067800_1772495256-1.jpg)
