Gojek Co-Founder Nadiem Makarim Sentenced to 10 Years for Corruption
An Indonesian court has sentenced Nadiem Makarim, co-founder of ride-hailing and super app Gojek, to 10 years in prison for corruption related to a school laptop procurement deal. Makarim, who also served as Indonesia's education minister from 2019 to 2024, was found guilty of manipulating a tender for Chromebooks that caused an estimated $125 million in state losses, prosecutors said.
The 41-year-old pleaded not guilty throughout the trial, maintaining that the procurement was cost-effective and not influenced by personal gain. He argued that his actions were in the public interest and denied any wrongdoing.
The case revolves around the education ministry's purchase of Google Chromebooks for schools between 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Makarim tailored tender specifications to favour Google, an investor in Gojek, and that he personally benefited by $46.3 million from the deal. Makarim rejected these claims, stating that Google's investment in Gojek had no connection to the procurement process.
Critics of the Indonesian government have questioned the strength of the evidence, suggesting that Makarim may be a target of a political campaign against opponents. Outside the Jakarta courthouse, dozens of supporters—including Gojek drivers—gathered with banners reading 'We are with Nadiem' and 'Free Nadiem'. They booed when the verdict was read.
In a statement before the sentencing, Makarim said he had sacrificed much to serve the nation and that 'the reward I received was iron bars'. He became visibly emotional when a Gojek driver hugged him. His mother-in-law, Sania Makki, told the BBC that the family had endured a difficult 10 months but remained supportive.
Prosecutors argued that Makarim's actions violated anti-corruption laws and harmed Indonesia's education system, noting that the Chromebooks required internet access, making them unsuitable for remote areas with poor connectivity. They claimed the purchase proceeded after a 2020 meeting between Makarim and Google representatives.
Makarim, who co-founded Gojek in 2010, left the company in 2019 to join President Joko Widodo's cabinet. The trial has drawn significant public attention, reflecting both his status as a tech entrepreneur and the broader fight against corruption in Indonesia.
