ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office is investigating a suspected corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops worth IDR 9.9 trillion (approx. USD 640 million) under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).
Former minister Nadiem Makarim (2019–2024) has publicly addressed the issue for the first time.
Spokesperson of the Attorney General’s Office, Harli Siregar, stated that in 2020, the Ministry launched a program to distribute digital learning devices to schools across all levels—from elementary to high school—as part of a nationwide education digitization push.
However, Harli emphasized that the project lacked urgency and effectiveness, referencing a similar initiative in 2019 that failed to yield optimal results.
“A pilot involving 1,000 Chromebook units in 2019 showed it wasn’t effective,” Harli told the press on May 26.
Nadiem Makarim: Ready to Cooperate, Firm Against Corruption
In a press conference on June 10, 2025, Nadiem Makarim, who served as Minister during the project’s rollout, said he fully supports the legal process and is willing to provide clarification if requested.
“I support fair and transparent law enforcement. I am ready to cooperate and provide any necessary clarifications. I have never tolerated corruption in any form,” Nadiem said in South Jakarta.
He urged the public to remain critical yet fair, cautioning against drawing hasty conclusions based solely on circulating opinions.
Nadiem justified the selection of Chromebooks by citing a detailed cost-benefit analysis conducted by the ministry’s technical team.
“Chromebooks were 10–30% cheaper than other devices with similar specs, and the Chrome OS is free, while others require a license costing IDR 1.5 to 2.5 million (approx. USD 95–160),” he explained.
He also emphasized the importance of application control and student safety, noting that Chromebooks allowed better monitoring—crucial for school environments.
The former minister emphasized that the project was implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which severely disrupted Indonesia’s education system.
“The pandemic wasn’t just a health crisis but an educational crisis too. The tech procurement, including laptops, 3G modems, and projectors, was a mitigation strategy to prevent learning loss,” Nadiem said.
The devices were also used to support Indonesia’s National Assessment Program (ANBK) and upskill teachers and school staff.
Former Aides Questioned – Nadiem’s Legal Team Responds
Public attention also turned to the questioning of three of Nadiem’s former special staff members. However, his attorney Hotman Paris clarified that these individuals had no direct involvement in the procurement process.
“There was no communication or instruction from Mr. Nadiem to the special staff regarding the project. The procurement was handled by an independent official committee and vendor,” Hotman said during the same press conference. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel