Gojek founder Nadiem allegedly received $49m in Chromebook case

Press Release
December 16, 2025

Nadiem Makarim, co-founder of Gojek and former Indonesian education minister, faces corruption allegations tied to a multiyear initiative to supply Chromebooks to schools.

Prosecutors claim that during his ministerial tenure, Makarim misused his position in overseeing lucrative tenders for laptops and software meant to advance digital education nationwide. The initiative, valued at trillions of rupiah, aimed to provide schools with cost-effective devices. However, investigations allege the project was compromised through rigged technical requirements, favoritism toward select vendors, and failure to heed warnings about the devices’ incompatibility with areas lacking reliable internet access.

Audits suggest the state incurred losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars. Reports also indicate that individuals may have illicitly profited from inflated prices and unethical financial arrangements. These allegations form part of the prosecution’s ongoing case, pending judicial review.

Makarim has denied all accusations, maintaining that the procurement adhered to regulations and significantly expanded access to educational technology. The case now poses a critical challenge to Indonesia’s anti-corruption efforts and the credibility of one of Southeast Asia’s most influential tech entrepreneurs-turned-policymakers. The court’s ruling will determine whether decisions in the procurement process constituted criminal misconduct or fell within legal policy discretion.