^{Photo: The Edge Malaysia}

High-Profile Detention

Indonesian prosecutors on Thursday officially named Nadiem Makarim, the country’s former education minister and co-founder of ride-hailing giant Gojek, as a suspect in a large-scale corruption scandal. Authorities allege Makarim was involved in the improper procurement of Google Chromebooks for schools and the Ministry of Education.

Investigators announced that Makarim, who served as minister from 2019 to 2024, will be detained for 20 days while the probe continues. He was seen leaving the prosecutor’s office, where he told reporters, “I did not do anything. God will protect me, the truth will come out.”

Allegations of Abuse of Authority

The attorney general’s office claims that Makarim misused his ministerial authority to benefit himself or a company, in violation of Indonesia’s strict anti-corruption laws. State losses linked to the case are estimated at 1.98 trillion rupiah ($121.85 million).

According to lead investigator Nurcahyo Jungkung Madyo, Makarim issued a 2021 decree specifying procurement requirements that only Google’s Chromebook laptops could meet. Before the decision, Makarim reportedly met with Google Indonesia representatives six times.

Google Indonesia has declined to comment directly on the allegations, emphasizing that it only works through authorized resellers and partners, and that government transactions are not conducted directly with the company.

GoTo’s Connection and Distancing

In July, prosecutors also raided the offices of GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Indonesia’s largest tech company, searching for evidence tied to the case. The company clarified that its operations were unrelated to Chromebook procurement.

“GoTo’s operations have never been related to Nadiem Makarim’s duties as education minister, including in Chromebook procurement within the education ministry,” said Ade Mulya, the company’s director of public affairs and communications.

Makarim had left Gojek in 2019 after his ministerial appointment. Two years later, Gojek merged with e-commerce startup Tokopedia to form GoTo, which remains one of Southeast Asia’s largest tech players.

Broader Implications

The arrest of a figure as prominent as Makarim underscores Indonesia’s ongoing struggle with corruption, particularly within government procurement. As both a pioneering tech entrepreneur and a senior former minister, his detention is likely to spark debate about governance, transparency, and the overlap between politics and corporate influence.

The case also highlights the risks for global tech companies involved in government projects in emerging markets, where procurement processes can become entangled with political agendas. With the investigation still unfolding, both Indonesia’s political establishment and its tech industry are bracing for further fallout.