An Indonesian court is scheduled to announce its verdict in a high-profile corruption case against former education minister Nadiem Makarim, the co-founder of the country’s largest start-up, who is accused by prosecutors of using his executive powers to enrich himself.

Background

Prosecutors allege that Makarim, 41, personally benefited from improper laptop procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing around $125 million in state losses. They have sought an 18-year prison sentence, and demand that he pay around 5.6 trillion rupiah ($314 million) in fines and restitutions.

Makarim’s sentencing could be one of Indonesia’s most high-profile legal cases prosecuted against a former minister. Makarim, who resigned as chief executive of technology and ride-hailing start-up Gojek in 2019 to serve as education minister until 2024, has been accused of enriching himself to the tune of around 809 billion rupiah ($46.33 million) through the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome OS for schools between 2020 and 2022, prosecutors said.

Reactions

Analysts have questioned the case against Makarim. Tim Lindsey, a law professor at the University of Melbourne, who has researched the Indonesian legal system extensively, said the charges brought against Makarim, alleging that his actions caused state losses, were often interpreted broadly and conflated inefficiency and taking risks with corruption.

Makarim’s case has drawn international criticism. British billionaire Richard Branson said on LinkedIn that Makarim “should be celebrated for what he achieved, not prosecuted on trumped-up charges that seem politically motivated.”

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.