Ex‑Indonesian Minister Nadiem Makarim Charged in Google Chromebook Procurement Corruption Case

Indonesian prosecutors on Monday formally charged former Education Minister and Gojek co‑founder **Nadiem Makarim** with corruption related to the procurement of **Google Chromebooks and Chrome OS software** for school use during the COVID‑19 pandemic, a case that prosecutors say cost the state an estimated **$125.64 million**. During the first trial hearing at a Jakarta court, prosecutors alleged that Makarim manipulated the tender process between 2020 and 2022 by drafting specifications that only favored Google’s products — effectively making the company the exclusive provider and consolidating control over the education technology ecosystem in Indonesia. They claim he personally benefited by approximately 809 billion rupiah (around $48.34 million) through his ties to Gojek’s parent company, which had received substantial investment from Google. Makarim, who served as minister from 2019 until 2024 after stepping down as Gojek’s CEO, denies any wrongdoing, with his lawyer arguing that the prosecution’s evidence is weak and seeking dismissal of the charges. Google and the merged company GoTo — formed from Gojek and Tokopedia — have not commented on the proceedings. The charges carry a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison if Makarim is convicted. #IndonesiaCorruption #NadiemMakarim #GoogleChromebook #EducationProcurement #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM