Prosecutors allege tender manipulation tied to Chromebook purchases caused major state losses
Indonesia’s fight against corruption has entered a high-profile phase as prosecutors bring charges against a former cabinet minister linked to one of the country’s biggest tech names.
Corruption Charges Filed Against Former Minister
Indonesian prosecutors on Monday formally charged former education minister Nadiem Makarim with corruption over the procurement of Chromebook laptops for public schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purchases, carried out between 2020 and 2022, allegedly caused state losses of US$125.64 million, according to prosecutors during the first trial hearing.
Alleged Tender Manipulation and Financial Gain
Makarim, who served as education minister from 2019 to 2024 after resigning as chief executive of Gojek, was accused of designing tender specifications that only supported Chrome OS. Prosecutors claimed this move positioned Google as the sole controller of Indonesia’s education technology ecosystem and enriched Makarim by around 809 billion rupiah, equivalent to approx. SGD 64.7 million.
Chromebook Suitability Questioned for Remote Regions
Court filings revealed that the education ministry had concluded as early as 2018 that Chromebooks required reliable internet access, making them unsuitable for large parts of Indonesia, particularly remote and underdeveloped regions. Despite this assessment, the ministry proceeded with the procurement during the pandemic when online learning was rapidly expanded.
Meetings With Google and Disputed Claims
Prosecutors alleged that Makarim met representatives from Google Asia Pacific and Google Indonesia several times in 2020 before approving the procurement. Makarim’s lawyer, Ari Yusuf Amir, denied these claims, stating that his client never held such meetings and that the prosecution’s case lacked strong evidence.
Links to Google Investment and Corporate Ties
According to prosecutors, Google increased its investment by US$59 million in PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa, Gojek’s parent company at the time, during the same period. They cited Makarim’s 2022 wealth declaration, which showed his assets had risen by 809 billion rupiah, largely linked to Google’s total investment of US$787 million into the company.
Wider Investigation and Legal Consequences
Investigators from Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office arrested Makarim in September along with several senior ministry officials. Prosecutors also stated that at least 10 other companies benefited from the procurement tender. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years under Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws. Google and PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, formed after Gojek merged with Tokopedia in 2021, have not been indicted and declined to comment.
The case underscores growing scrutiny of pandemic-era spending and public procurement across Southeast Asia. For Indonesia and Singapore, where tech, governance, and cross-border investments are closely intertwined, the trial highlights the importance of transparency, regulatory safeguards, and accountability when public policy intersects with powerful digital platforms.
Sources: Malay Mail (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Nadiem Makarim, Chromebook Procurement, Indonesian Education Ministry, Google Investment, Pandemic Spending
