Nadiem Makarim, the 41-year-old co-founder of the super-app Gojek who transitioned into government as Indonesia’s education minister, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence for corruption.
The court found Makarim guilty of manipulating a school laptop procurement deal between 2021 and 2022 to enrich himself, causing an estimated $125 million in state losses.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Makarim tailored tender specifications to favor Google—a known investor in his company, Gojek—effectively turning the tech giant into the sole controller of the nation's education ecosystem.
Despite the ministry’s own 2018 warnings that the Chromebooks were unsuitable for remote areas lacking internet connectivity, the purchase proceeded under Makarim’s leadership. Beyond the prison term, Makarim was ordered to pay 809 billion rupiah ($45 million) in restitution.
Because he claims he cannot pay this amount, he faces an additional five years of incarceration, bringing his potential total sentence to 15 years. He also faces a separate fine that could add further time to his sentence.
While supporters and some activists have attempted to frame the prosecution as a politically motivated attack, the court’s ruling centers on clear evidence of self-enrichment and the violation of anti-corruption protocols. Makarim, who pleaded not guilty, has indicated he will appeal the verdict.
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