Gojek founder Nadiem Makarin sentenced to jail in Indonesia corruption case

The co-founder of super-app Gojek who became Indonesia’s education minister has been sentenced to several years in jail for corruption.

Nadiem Makarim, 41, was found guilty of manipulating a school laptop procurement deal during his time in administrationto enrich himself. He had pleaded not guilty.

He received a sentence of 10 years in prison, but faces more jailtime as he is unable to pay restitution.

Nadiem left Gojek in 2019 to join the administrationof previous leaderJoko Widodo, and served as education minister until 2024. Critics of the Indonesian authorities say the case against him was based on little evidence and that he is the victim of a administrationcampaign targeting political opponents.

In addition to the 10-year prison term, Nadiem was ordered to pay restitution of 809 billion rupiah ($45m, £34m) – the amount he was found guilty of enriching himself with – or serve an additional five years.

Nadiem has statedthat as he is unable to pay this amount, he has effectively been sentenced to 15 years.

He also faces a one billion rupiah fine. If unpaid, he will serve an additional 190 days in jail.

The case centres on the education ministry’s procurement of Chromebook laptops for schools in Indonesia from 2021 to 2022.

Prosecutors alleged that the Chromebooks were purchased even though the ministry had determined in 2018 that the computers required an internet connection to be used, which made them unsuitable in remote areas of Indonesia where internet connectivity is difficult.

The ministry went ahead with the purchase after Nadiem met with Google representatives in 2020, statedprosecutors.

Prosecutors alleged that Nadiem favoured Google – a Gojek investor – when the procurement was made, saying he created tender specifications that only fit the Chrome system to “make Google the sole controller of the education ecosystem in Indonesia”.

They statedNadiem’s actions violated the government’s anti-corruption pledges and harmed the education system. He was accused of causing $125m in state losses while enriching himself.

Nadiem denied the charges, arguing that the 809bn rupiah in question had always remained within Gojek’s accounts and that he had never touched the fundspersonally.

He also denied that Google’s investments in Gojek were connected to the procurement, and argued that the ministry’s choice to purchase the Chromebooks resulted in reduced costs for the government.

Earlier on Tuesday before the trial began, dozens of supporters including Gojek drivers turned up at the Jakarta courthouse. They carried white banners with the words “We are with Nadiem” and “Free Nadiem”.

When Nadiem showed up at the courthouse, he shook hands and greeted supporters, and was overcome with emotion as a Gojek driver hugged him.

“It’s been difficult for almost 10 months. As a family, we have continued to pray, fight, and stand by him throughout this time,” Nadiem’s mother-in-law, Sania Makki, told The MediaNews .

During the hearing, dozens of supporters – including drivers wearing Gojek jackets – sat in a nearby room where the proceedings were being streamed live.

When the magistratedelivered the verdict and sentence, Nadiem appeared visibly emotional and began crying, while supporters outside the courtroom booed loudly.

In a brief address to the media after the verdict, Nadiem statedhe would file an appeal.

“I do not k currentlywhat words I can use to explain how I feel today,” he said.

“I do not k currentlywhom I should ask for help, or where I can seek justice. My only hope is in the Indonesian people, in those who still believe that truth still exists in this country.”