Former Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, has been formally charged with corruption over the procurement of Chromebooks and associated software during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors allege the purchases caused significant state financial losses and enriched Makarim personally. The indictment hearing took place on Monday at the Jakarta Corruption Court.
Alleged Mismanagement of Education Digitalization Funds
Authorities claim Makarim, who previously led ride-hailing giant Gojek, orchestrated procurement processes that favored Google products exclusively. Prosecutors argue that he designed tender specifications that only fit the Chrome operating system, making Google the primary provider for Indonesia’s school digitalization program. The state is said to have lost approximately $125.64 million (Rp 2.1 trillion) due to overpriced Chromebooks and unnecessary Chrome Device Management systems.
Details of the Procurement Controversy
According to prosecutors, the ministry purchased Chromebooks despite a 2018 assessment indicating the devices were largely incompatible with Indonesia’s remote learning conditions due to poor internet connectivity in many areas. Meetings between Makarim and Google representatives in 2020 reportedly influenced the decision, although his lawyer denies these interactions occurred. Prosecutors also contend that the procurement process lacked proper surveys or supporting data for budget allocation and unit pricing.
Alleged Personal Gains and Company Connections
Makarim is accused of personally benefiting by around 809 billion rupiah ($48.34 million) from Google’s investments in his former company, PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB). Prosecutors noted that Google had increased its investment in AKAB by $59 million around the same period, part of a broader $787 million contribution. This financial link is cited as evidence of enrichment connected to the education ministry’s purchases.
Co-Defendants and Broader Accountability
The prosecution also named three other officials involved in the procurement process: Sri Wahyuningsih, Director of Elementary Schools; Mulyatsyah, Director of Junior High Schools; and consultant Ibrahim Arief (IBAM). Prosecutors assert that the group coordinated to set inflated unit prices without conducting necessary market surveys. They allege the irregularities occurred across the 2020–2022 budget cycles, contributing to the significant losses claimed in the indictment.
Legal Implications and Potential Penalties
The charges against Makarim invoke multiple articles of Indonesia’s Corruption Law, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. His lawyer, Ari Yusuf Amir, maintains that the case lacks sufficient evidence and has requested the court dismiss the charges. Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, has not been indicted and has not publicly commented on the matter.
Reactions and Next Steps
Investigators with Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office had previously arrested Makarim and several top ministry officials in September 2025. The accused deny wrongdoing, highlighting discrepancies in the prosecution’s claims regarding meetings and financial conduct. The court proceedings are expected to continue, with significant public and media attention due to Makarim’s high-profile status and the scale of alleged losses.
The case against Nadiem Makarim underscores ongoing scrutiny over public procurement and digital education spending in Indonesia. With allegations involving personal enrichment, corporate investments, and administrative mismanagement, the trial highlights the challenges of accountability in government-led technology initiatives. The outcome could set a precedent for transparency and oversight in Indonesia’s education and technology sectors.