Arcadiadaily – Nadiem Makarim detained by the Attorney General’s Office has sent shockwaves through Indonesia’s education and political circles. The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has been named a suspect in a high-profile corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook laptops. The Attorney General’s Office stated that the alleged misconduct caused state losses estimated at approximately Rp 1.98 trillion. Nadiem Makarim has been held for 20 days at Salemba Detention Center in Jakarta as investigations continue.
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Nadiem Makarim detained in connection with the case is accused of involvement in irregularities during the 2020–2021 procurement of laptops for schools under the Directorate General of Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education. The alleged scheme reportedly involved inflated pricing, questionable vendor selection, and mismanagement of funds meant for educational purposes. The authorities named four other individuals as suspects before detaining Nadiem, including Sri Wahyuningsih, Director of Primary Schools, and Mulyatsyah, Director of Junior High Schools under the Ministry of Education. Investigators are examining contracts, purchase orders, and digital communications to establish the extent of the alleged wrongdoing.
Following the official declaration of Nadiem Makarim as a suspect. Nadiem Makarim detained in Salemba will undergo an initial 20-day pre-trial detention period while authorities gather evidence. The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that this measure is procedural, intended to secure cooperation and prevent potential interference with the investigation. Legal analysts note that the case may involve complex financial tracing and cross-checking with multiple government departments. Making it one of the largest corruption cases in Indonesia’s education sector in recent years.
The news that Nadiem Makarim detained has sparked widespread debate among policymakers, educators, and the public. Opposition figures have called for strict legal action, emphasizing the importance of accountability in public procurement. While supporters urge caution until investigations are complete. The Ministry of Education has stated that educational programs will continue uninterrupted despite the ongoing case. Meanwhile, civil society groups advocate for transparency and monitoring of state fund usage to prevent future corruption.
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