Nadiem Makarim Appeals 10-Year Chromebook Corruption Sentence, Setting Up High-Stakes Legal Battle

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Former Indonesian Education Minister Nadiem Makarim has appealed his 10-year prison sentence in the high-profile Chromebook procurement corruption case, challenging a conviction that has become one of the country's most closely watched governance trials.

The appeal moves the case to the Jakarta High Court, where judges will be asked to re-examine both the factual findings and legal reasoning behind last week's verdict.

The case extends beyond one former cabinet minister. Investors have viewed it as a key indicator of Indonesia's anti-corruption drive and the judiciary's willingness to pursue senior public officials involved in major state procurement programs.

Nadiem is also the co-founder of PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (AKAB), the original entity behind Gojek, which later merged with GoTo Group, Indonesia's largest technology company. Although GoTo is not a defendant in the case, prosecutors alleged that procurement decisions indirectly benefited AKAB through business relationships, an allegation Nadiem has consistently denied.

Defense Challenges Trial Court's Findings

Nadiem's lawyer, Zaid Mushafi, said the appeal asks the Jakarta High Court to reopen the factual record and reassess several conclusions reached by the Corruption Court.

"In this appeal, we ask the High Court judges to hear the case again and reopen the facts that formed the basis of the first-instance ruling," Zaid told reporters on Wednesday, citing the appeal memorandum.

One of the defense's principal arguments concerns Nadiem's decision to grant a power of attorney transferring authority over his AKAB shareholdings after joining the government.

According to the defense, the arrangement was intended to prevent conflicts of interest while he served as minister. Trial judges, however, concluded that the transfer was merely a formal mechanism that failed to eliminate the underlying conflict.

'No Material Evidence'

The defense also argues prosecutors failed to establish that Nadiem directed or coordinated with the individual who received the power of attorney.

"There is no material evidence showing he gave instructions, coordinated, or even communicated regarding the power of attorney," Zaid said.

Lawyers further challenged the court's conclusion that Nadiem influenced appointments within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology.

According to the defense, senior ministry officials were selected through an independent committee before the technical procurement team responsible for the Chromebook project was established.

Dispute Over Financial Penalty

The appeal also contests the court's order requiring Nadiem to pay Rp809.5 billion ($50.9 million) in restitution.

Zaid argued prosecutors failed to prove that the money either flowed to Nadiem personally or that he played any role in directing payments to AKAB.

"If the argument is that the money did not have to go directly to Mr. Nadiem but could instead benefit a corporation or another party, then his role in receiving those benefits must first be proven," Zaid said.

Conviction Remains in Force

Last week, Jakarta's Corruption Court found Nadiem guilty of corruption involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management licenses between 2019 and 2022 while he served as education minister.

The court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, imposed a Rp1 billion ($62,900) fine, and ordered him to pay Rp809.5 billion ($50.9 million) in restitution or serve an additional five years in prison if the amount is not paid.

The ruling was lighter than prosecutors' demand for 18 years in prison and Rp5.67 trillion ($357 million) in restitution.

The appeal now shifts the legal battle to Indonesia's appellate court, where the judges will determine whether the trial court correctly interpreted the evidence in one of the country's most consequential public procurement cases.