Makarim was aware that the Chromebooks were not suitable for learning process for the teachers and students, particularly those in remote areas, yet the procurement still proceeded, AGO's public prosecutor Roy Riady said here on Monday.
"Hence, the procurement was carried out so Google would increase investment, provide funding to PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB)," Riady said.
According to the prosecutor, the majority of PT AKAB’s funding originated from Google investments, which totaled approximately US$786.99 million.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Makarim founded Gojek in 2010. He initially held a 99-percent stake in the company, valued at Rp99 million.
To develop the business, in 2015, Makarim and Andre Soelistyo established a foreign investment company called PT AKAB, and collaborated with Google to integrate Google Maps, Cloud, and Workspace into Gojek's system.
To avoid allegations of conflict of interests, Makarim was said to have relinquished his positions at Gojek and AKAB after entering public office.
"Yet the defendant, Makarim, appoint his peers, among them Andre Soelistyo and Kevin Bryan Aluwi, as director and beneficial owner, to (further) defendant's interest, which is as founder and shareholder in PT Gojek Indonesia and PT AKAB," he added.
The alleged corruption case involves the procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) systems by the ministry between 2019 and 2022. The case is estimated to have caused state losses amounting to Rp2.18 trillion.
State loss including Rp1.56 trillion for education digitalization program in the ministry, as well as USD44.05 million from CDM procurement which is deemed unnecessary for the education program.
Makarim is accused of committing the crime alongside several other defendants, including Ibrahim Arief, Mulyatsyah, Sri Wahyuningsih, and Jurist Tan, who is currently a fugitive.
Riady further said that Makarim allegedly received Rp809.59 billion from PT AKAB through PT Gojek Indonesia.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia Victoria, Mecca Yumna
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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