Corruption trial begins for Indonesia's ex-education minister Nadiem after delays

Former education minister Nadiem Makarim reacting on Ja. 5, 2026, prior to his trial in a corruption case about his involvement in the procurement of Google's Chromebook laptops for use at his ministry and by students, at the Jakarta Corruption Court. - Reuters

JAKARTA: The trial of former education minister Nadiem Makarim opened on Monday (Jan 5), with prosecutors accusing him of rigging a procurement of Chromebook laptops for use in schools and causing Rp 2.18 trillion (US$130.4) in state losses.

Nadiem appeared at the Jakarta Corruption Court in Central Jakarta that morning after missing his scheduled hearings twice last month as he was still recovering from surgery reportedly for a condition called perianal fistula while under the custody of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).