Indonesian prosecutors have demanded an 18-year prison sentence for Nadiem Anwar Makarim, the co-founder of the ride-hailing and payments giant Gojek, in connection with what they allege was a corrupt scheme to steer a government Chromebook procurement toward Google while enriching himself. Makarim, who served as Indonesia’s education minister from 2019 to 2024, was arrested in September but was transferred to house arrest this week after surgery.
At a hearing at Jakarta’s Corruption Court on Wednesday, prosecutors also sought a fine of 1 billion rupiah (about $57,180) and requested the seizure of Makarim’s assets if he fails to repay 809 billion rupiah (about $48.2 million) linked to the program, along with 4.8 trillion rupiah (about $275.4 million) in funds they described as unexplained wealth. Under the proposal, he would face an additional nine years in prison if he does not comply within one month after a final court ruling.
The case centers on allegations that Makarim abused his position to influence policy decisions and corporate dealings during the 2020–2022 Chromebook procurement, which was launched to support remote learning during the pandemic. Prosecutors told a three-judge panel that he favored Chromebooks despite concerns they were ineffective in areas with limited internet access and that he pressured Google to invest in PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB), the parent company of Gojek, which later became part of GoTo Group.
During proceedings, prosecutors downplayed testimony from three former Google executives who said Google’s investment in GoTo — totaling about $787 million via Google Asia Pacific — was unrelated to the Indonesian government’s decision to procure Chromebooks. “Google’s investment in GoTo is considered a mutually beneficial relationship that may have influenced Chromebook procurement policy,” prosecutors told the court, asserting that the two were interconnected.
Makarim has denied any wrongdoing and criticized the sentencing demand as excessive. “These are lawful earnings from building a company and creating jobs,” he told reporters after the hearing, referring to his stake in Gojek. “I am effectively being charged with 27 or 28 years in prison, far more than many violent criminals.” He said there was “no administrative violation and no element of corruption” in his actions, adding that the restitution sought by prosecutors far exceeded his actual wealth.
His lawyers argued that procurement decisions were made by technical officials, not by him, and that he had divested from PT AKAB upon taking office. They also said his wealth declined during his tenure as minister.
The trial has drawn significant public attention, frequently attended by hundreds of “ojek” motorcycle taxi drivers showing solidarity for the man who revolutionized Indonesia’s gig economy. A panel of judges is expected to deliver a verdict in the coming weeks. If convicted, Makarim would face one of the harshest corruption sentences in recent Indonesian history.