Former Indonesian Education Minister Sentenced to 10 Years for Corruption
Jakarta, Indonesia — June 30, 2026: In a significant ruling, the Jakarta anti-corruption court has sentenced Nadiem Makarim, the former Minister of Education and co-founder of the Gojek ride-hailing app, to 10 years in prison for corruption. The court found Makarim guilty of abusing his authority during the procurement of Chromebook laptops for schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Judge Purwanto Abdullah announced the verdict, stating that Makarim’s actions resulted in substantial state losses estimated at approximately $120 million. Although the court determined that he did not directly seek personal enrichment, Makarim was held accountable for his misuse of power. In addition to his prison sentence, he is required to pay a fine of Rp1 billion (approximately $55,850) and restitution of Rp809 billion (over $45 million) to the state. Failure to comply with these financial penalties may result in further incarceration.
This ruling marks a significant downturn for Makarim, who was once celebrated as a leading figure in Indonesia’s startup ecosystem. At just 41 years old, he co-founded Gojek in 2010, transforming it from a modest call center with 20 motorcycle drivers into a prominent platform for ride-hailing and delivery services. His tenure as Indonesia’s youngest cabinet minister began in 2019, and he served as the Minister of Education until 2024.
Prosecutors highlighted that Makarim’s decision to procure Chromebook laptops was linked to investments from Google, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Despite the charges, Makarim has consistently maintained his innocence and plans to appeal the court’s decision. He expressed frustration at the ruling, stating, “The judges couldn’t even look me in the eye,” and emphasized his inability to pay the ordered fines.
In his defense, Makarim argued that the procurement process was cost-effective and labeled the investigation as an “error.” He contended that expert testimonies supported his claim, asserting, “There is no element of state loss, no element of violation of the law, no element of self-enrichment, and no malicious intent.”
Prosecutors initially sought a more severe punishment of 18 years in prison and restitution amounting to Rp5.68 trillion (approximately $313 million). Notably, Google has not faced any charges in connection with this case and has denied any wrongdoing.
Following the merger of Gojek and Tokopedia in 2021 to form GoTo Group, the company stated that Makarim has not held any decision-making role since his resignation from the cabinet in 2019. Makarim, whose father previously served on the ethics committee of Indonesia’s anti-corruption body, has expressed his commitment to encouraging professionals to engage in public service.
The verdict serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges Indonesia faces in combating corruption, particularly within its government institutions. As the nation continues to navigate these issues, the implications of this case may influence public trust and the future of governance in Indonesia.
