Former Indonesian Minister Nadiem Named Suspect in Chromebook Corruption Case

Indonesia's Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has officially named Nadiem Makarim, the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology from 2019 to 2024, as a suspect in a corruption case involving the procurement of 1.2 million Chromebook laptops during 2019-2022. Prosecutors allege Nadiem abused his authority by directing the use of Google Chromebooks without a proper tender process, resulting in alleged state financial losses, particularly because the devices proved unsuitable for remote and underdeveloped areas. The case also involves four other suspects, including former ministry officials and consultants, who were named earlier in July 2025. Nadiem and the AGO have presented differing views, with Nadiem denying wrongdoing and asserting that the truth will prevail, while prosecutors cite meetings and a WhatsApp group formed by Nadiem to plan the digitalization project. The charges against Nadiem carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment, as the AGO continues to investigate the procurement’s impact and alleged corruption. The controversy highlights challenges in Indonesia's push for educational digitalization and government procurement practices.