Nadiem Makarim, the former Indonesian education minister and founder of Gojek, is on trial accused of corruption tied to the procurement of Google Chromebooks for remote schools between 2019 and 2022 [1, 2]. Prosecutors say the procurement project, aimed at supporting remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, caused 2.1 trillion rupiah ($125 million) in state losses and involved irregularities worth 9.3 trillion rupiah ($531 million) in total procurement costs [1, 2].
Court documents allege Makarim personally benefited with about 809 billion rupiah linked to the procurement and concealed conflicts of interest due to his investment ties with Google-related companies [2]. Prosecutors demanded 18 years in prison and repayment of $275 million at a hearing on May 20, 2026 [1].
Makarim denies all allegations and disputes the legal basis of the case. His legal team said the indictment relies heavily on assumptions rather than facts and claimed Makarim was not involved in the procurement process as minister, according to defense lawyer Dodi Abdulkadir [2]. Makarim was detained in September 2025 and remains held at Jakarta’s Salemba detention center [2].
The Chromebook procurement was intended to expand digital access for students in remote areas during pandemic school closures, involving government orders finalized from 2019 to 2022 [2]. Despite disagreements over the precise financial figures cited by prosecution and defense, the case centers on serious graft allegations related to the Covid-era education spending.
Trial proceedings opened on May 13, 2026, and the court is now evaluating the evidence and claims from both sides [2]. The next scheduled hearing will determine how the case moves forward.
