Jakarta. Former Indonesian Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim on Tuesday defended the procurement of Chromebook laptops under a multitrillion-rupiah education digitalization program, insisting that no procedural violations or state losses occurred in a corruption case that has led prosecutors to seek an 18-year prison sentence against him. 

Speaking to reporters at the Central Jakarta District Court before delivering his closing argument, or pledoi, the Gojek cofounder said the public needed to understand two key points about the case surrounding the procurement of Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM) software during his tenure.

First, Nadiem rejected suggestions that while he may not have personally benefited from the project, procedural errors, administrative shortcomings, or negligence could have occurred during the procurement process.

“Many people believe that although I am not guilty, there may have been procedural mistakes, administrative errors, or negligence. I want the public to know the facts: there were no procedural violations whatsoever, no administrative breaches,” Nadiem said.

“On the contrary, the evidence has shown that extensive safeguards were put in place, and the procurement process was conducted according to very high standards,” he added.

Nadiem argued that the education digitalization initiative was among the most thoroughly reviewed and tightly monitored government procurement programs, with multiple layers of evaluation and oversight implemented before the project moved forward.

His second point focused on the allegation that the procurement caused losses to the state, a central element of the prosecution’s case.

“There were no state losses. This is something the public must clearly understand,” Nadiem said. “The details will be presented in the defense statement, but I want to stress this important point.”

The former minister also urged the public to closely follow developments in the case, including a related ruling involving Ibrahim Arief, known as Ibam, a former consultant to the ministry during Nadiem’s leadership.

In a verdict delivered on May 12, a panel of judges ruled that the Chromebook and CDM procurement had caused state financial losses of Rp 5.2 trillion ($318 million). However, Nadiem highlighted dissenting opinions within the court.

“This is something that legal experts and the public should carefully consider,” he said. “Two of the five judges believed that Ibam should be acquitted. To my knowledge, that is highly unusual in a major corruption case.”

After addressing reporters, Nadiem entered the courtroom to deliver his defense statement. As he walked toward the hearing room, he greeted and embraced family members and former Gojek colleagues who had come to show support.

Prosecutors are seeking an 18-year prison term, a Rp 1 billion fine, and an order requiring Nadiem to repay Rp 5.6 trillion in alleged state losses.

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