Nadiem Makarim Faces Chromebook Corruption Trial as Verdict Set for June 30

Former Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim is a defendant in a graft case over the procurement of laptops‑Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM) for the ministry’s digital‑learning program during 2019‑2022. Prosecutors allege the scheme caused a state loss of about Rp 2.18 trillion (≈ US$ 130 million) and have asked the Jakarta Corruption Court to impose 18 years’ imprisonment, a Rp 1 billion fine, and restitution of roughly Rp 5.6 trillion, with asset seizure if unpaid.

The court scheduled the reading of the verdict for 30 June 2026, after a short postponement from an earlier 25 June date. In his final defence, Nadiem said the charges were “heavier than those against terrorists” and argued that the Chromebook policy had actually saved the government at least Rp 3.6 trillion by using a free operating system. He also recalled that many colleagues and family members had warned him against accepting the ministerial post in 2019, citing political risk and his lack of bureaucratic experience.

The prosecution noted that Nadiem acknowledged key facts, including that the decision to use Chromebooks violated Presidential Regulation No. 16/2018 on public procurement. Co‑defendants named include Ibrahim Arief, Jurist Tan and several other officials. The trial continues to draw intense public and media attention in Indonesia.