Education Ministry Probe Targets Chromebook Procurement

Former Minister Nadiem Makarim Implicated in Laptop Deal Investigation

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has revealed the central role of former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, **Nadiem Anwar Makarim (NAM)**, in the procurement of Chromebook laptops. The investigation into alleged state losses exceeding 1.98 trillion Rupiah is intensifying.

Accusations of Direct Orders

Director of Investigation for the AGO’s Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, **Abdul Qohar**, stated that **Nadiem Makarim** issued directives to his subordinates concerning the Chromebook acquisition. The plan for these laptops reportedly began before **Nadiem Makarim** officially took office as minister.

According to **Abdul Qohar**, **Nadiem Makarim**’s staffer, **Juris Tan (JS)**, initiated discussions about an educational digitalization program, including the Chromebook procurement, with **Nadiem Makarim** as early as August 2019. This planning group included **Fiona**, another of **Nadiem**’s staff. **Juris Tan** later proceeded to discuss the technical specifications of using Chrome OS for ICT procurement with a Center for Education and Policy Studies (PSPK) team in December 2019.

Meetings with Google Highlighted

The investigation further detailed **Nadiem Makarim**’s direct engagement with Google representatives in February and April 2020. These meetings were to discuss the procurement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) using Chromebooks. Following these discussions, **Nadiem** reportedly instructed **Juris Tan** to follow up, including exploring potential “Co-Investment” from Google for the ministry.

“In February and April 2020, NAM met with Google, William and Putra Alam discussed the procurement of ICTs at the Ministry of Education and Culture. Furthermore, JS followed up on NAM’s orders to meet with Google. Then discuss the technical procurement of ICTs at the Ministry of Education and Culture using Chrome OS, of which were also discussed by the Co-Investment as much as 30% of Google for the Ministry of Education and Culture.”

—Abdul Qohar, Director of Investigation, AGO

Subordinates Ordered to Proceed

The AGO claims that **Nadiem Makarim**, during an online meeting on May 6, 2020, explicitly ordered subordinates to proceed with the ICT procurement using Chromebooks for the period of 2020-2022. Attendees at this critical meeting reportedly included individual consultant **Ibrahim Arief (Ibam)**, **Nadiem**’s staffer **Juris Tan (JS)**, Director of Elementary School **Sri Wahyuningsih (SW)**, and SMP Director **Mulyatsyah (Mul)**.

The investigation also revealed that **Ibrahim Arief** initially refused to sign off on technical studies that did not include Chromebooks. This led to a second technical study, commissioned under **Nadiem Makarim**’s alleged directive, which specifically incorporated Chrome OS into the procurement plans.

Four Suspects Named, State Loss Estimated

The AGO has officially named four suspects in connection with the procurement scandal. These individuals are: **Sri Wahyuningsih (SW)**, **Mulyatsyah (Mul)**, **Ibrahim Arief (Ibam)**, and **Juris Tan (JS)**. The alleged financial misconduct has resulted in an estimated state loss of Rp 1.98 trillion.

As of early 2024, Indonesia’s digital literacy rate stood at approximately 45%, highlighting the critical importance of transparent and efficient technology procurement in educational institutions (We Are Social, 2024). This case raises serious questions about the integrity of such initiatives.

**Nadiem Makarim** himself has been questioned by the AGO on two occasions as a witness in the ongoing investigation.

Jakarta –

Merchant Mohammad Riza Chalid Currently in Singapore. Riza Chalid turned out to have been absent three times the summons of the Attorney General for Special Criminal Attorney General (Jampidsus).

Riza Chalid’s absence was carried out in a row. Riza Chalid was also named a suspect in the alleged corruption case of crude oil and refinery products at PT Pertamina, in this case Riza as the benefit of the owner of PT Tanki Merak and PT Orbit Terminal Merak.

“Specifically the MRC, for three times in a row he was called properly, not present,” said Director of Investigation of Jampidsus AGO, Abdul Qohar, in a press conference on Thursday, July 12, 2025.

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

Qohar explained that Riza is currently in Singapore. The Indonesian Attorney General’s Office has coordinated with the Singapore Prosecutor’s Office regarding the existence of Riza.

“Based on information, the person concerned does not live in the country,” he said.

AGO coordinating with Singapore

Table of Contents

AGO coordinating with Singapore
Riza Chalid was prevented
Riza Chalid is called next week
18 suspects

Regarding the existence of Riza in Singapore, the Attorney General’s Office immediately coordinated with Singapore’s authority. Investigators have also taken steps to pick up Riza Chalid.

“We have collaborated with representatives of the Indonesian Prosecutor’s Office abroad, especially in Singapore. We have taken steps, because the information is there,” explained Qohar.

“So we take these steps for how we can find and can bring in concerned,” he added.

Riza Chalid was prevented

In addition to making efforts to coordinate with Singapore’s authority, AGO has also prevented Riza Chalid from traveling abroad. He was prevented after being named a suspect.

Riza was prevented since Thursday, July 10, 2025. Prevention abroad is valid for the next 6 months.

“Based on information from the investigator that the person concerned has also been prevented abroad,” said Kapuspenkum AGO Harli Siregar, Friday (11/7/2025).

Harli explained this prevention as one of the legal efforts taken by the AGO to hunt Riza. Although, Riza is thought to have been abroad.

“So right, prevent the person concerned from traveling abroad. But his position turns out to be abroad. Well, the question now, is it useful? Still useful, because the status has become a high risk, high risk person,” explained Harli.

According to Harli regarding Riza, abroad or not is not a problem. With the prevention made, he said, has informed that Riza Chalid is a high risk person.

“So then the track (monitored), finally our immigration has (recorded Riza) to be a person who ‘something’. Secondly, in the management of a passport and a residence permit. If he has been banned, it is influential,” he explained.

Although prevented, Riza Chalid’s status is still a suspect. He has not been included in the People’s Search List (DPO).

Also check out the video: Attorney General Set 9 Suspects of Corruption Corruption

Riza Chalid is called next week

At present, the AGO has also issued a summons addressed to the oil entrepreneur. The plan, Riza Chalid is called next week.

“So of course investigators are still preparing the action plans, the investigation plans. Maybe in the future there will be schedules,” Harli said.

On this occasion, Harli also talked about the determination of the status of DPO. Harli gave a parable if there were suspects who did not come to meet the call several times.

“When for example the person concerned has been called as a suspect, several times according to procedural law, but do not heed, the investigator will take the legal steps,” said Harli.

“But we do not know yet. If for example the investigator in the future did a summons of the person concerned, then was present.

18 suspects

After the determination of Riza Chalid et al two days ago, the number of suspects in this corruption case increased. In total there are currently 18 suspects in this crude oil corruption case.

The following is a list of 18 suspects of crude oil corruption cases:

1. Riva Siahaan (RS), President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga
2. Sani Dinar Saifuddin (SDS), Director of Feedstock and Product Optimization of PT Kilang Pertamina International
3. Yoki Firnandi (YF), President Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping
4. Agus Purwono (AP), VP Feedstock Management of PT Kilang Pertamina International
5. Maya Kusmaya (MK), Central Marketing Director and Niaga PT Pertamina Patra Niaga
6. Edward Corne (EC), VP Trading Operations of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga
7. Muhammad Kerry Andrianto Riza (MKAR), Beneficial Owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa
8. Dimas Wearrpati (DW), Commissioner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa as well as Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritim
9. Gading Ramadhan Joedo (GRJ), Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritim and President Director of PT Orbit Terminal Merak
10. Alfian Nasution (AN), VP Supply and Distribution of PT Pertamina (Persero) in 2011-2015.
11. Hanung Budya Yuktyanta (HB), Director of Marketing and Commerce of PT Pertamina (Persero) in 2014.
12. Toto Nugroho (TN), VP Intermediate Supply PT Pertamina (Persero) in 2017-2018.
13. Dwi Sudarsono (DS), VP Product Trading Isc Pertamina in 2019-2020
14. Arief Sukmara (US), Director of Gas, Petrochemical & New Business PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS)
15. Hasto Wibowo (HW), SVP Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) Pertamina in 2018-2020.
16. Martin Haendra Nata (MH), Business Development Manager of PT Trafigura in 2019-2021.
17. Indra Putra Harsono (IP), Business Development Manager of PT Mahameru Kencana Abadi.
18. Mohammad Riza Chalid (MRC), Beneficial Owners of PT Tanki Merak and PT Orbit Terminal Merak.

The amount of state loss also increased to Rp 285 trillion. The loss increased from the number previously announced by the Attorney General’s Office of Rp. 193.7 trillion.

“Based on the results of the calculation that has been confirmed, the total is Rp. 285,017,731,964,389,” Qohar said.

Also check out the video: Attorney General Set 9 Suspects of Corruption Corruption

Page 2 of 2

(Zap/IMK)

Hoegeng Awards 2025

Read the inspirational story of the exemplary police candidate here

Jampidsus AGO

AGO said there was a role in Nadiem Makarim in the Chromebook procurement case