Nadiem Makarim's Fate Handed Down This Week in Laptop Corruption Case
The Indonesian government is bracing for a verdict on former Education Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim's involvement in the laptop procurement scandal, which dates back to 2019-2022. The trial at Jakarta's South Jakarta District Court will conclude this week with a single judge's decision expected on October 13th.
The court has fixed the date for the final reading of the preliminary findings (putusan praperadilan) on Wednesday, allowing Nadiem to know his fate before the official verdict is announced. The decision will determine whether or not Makarim was found guilty in connection with the procurement of laptops under the digital education program.
In a press conference, Judge Ketut Darpawan confirmed that the trial would conclude by next Monday, and Nadiem's team has been informed to be present at the proceedings.
However, Nadiem's lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea stated during the hearing that the prosecution relied on insufficient evidence. The lawyer accused the state attorney (jaksa) of neglecting to consider audit reports from the Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK) and the Badan Pengawasan Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BPKP), which found no irregularities in the laptop procurement process.
"This is like accusing someone of murder when their victim is still alive," Hotman said, emphasizing that even if the audit reports showed normal pricing for the laptops, it would not be enough to justify Nadiem's arrest. He argued that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate any harm to the state due to the procurement process.
The prosecution, on the other hand, presented four pieces of evidence: witness testimony, expert accounting opinions, documentary evidence, and circumstantial evidence. However, Hotman maintained that these were not sufficient to prove Nadiem's involvement in corruption.
Nadiem's arrest was initially met with public skepticism, and many questioned whether there was enough evidence to justify the government's actions. This trial may shed more light on the case and provide clarity on the government's intentions behind the prosecution.
The Indonesian government is bracing for a verdict on former Education Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim's involvement in the laptop procurement scandal, which dates back to 2019-2022. The trial at Jakarta's South Jakarta District Court will conclude this week with a single judge's decision expected on October 13th.
The court has fixed the date for the final reading of the preliminary findings (putusan praperadilan) on Wednesday, allowing Nadiem to know his fate before the official verdict is announced. The decision will determine whether or not Makarim was found guilty in connection with the procurement of laptops under the digital education program.
In a press conference, Judge Ketut Darpawan confirmed that the trial would conclude by next Monday, and Nadiem's team has been informed to be present at the proceedings.
However, Nadiem's lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea stated during the hearing that the prosecution relied on insufficient evidence. The lawyer accused the state attorney (jaksa) of neglecting to consider audit reports from the Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK) and the Badan Pengawasan Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BPKP), which found no irregularities in the laptop procurement process.
"This is like accusing someone of murder when their victim is still alive," Hotman said, emphasizing that even if the audit reports showed normal pricing for the laptops, it would not be enough to justify Nadiem's arrest. He argued that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate any harm to the state due to the procurement process.
The prosecution, on the other hand, presented four pieces of evidence: witness testimony, expert accounting opinions, documentary evidence, and circumstantial evidence. However, Hotman maintained that these were not sufficient to prove Nadiem's involvement in corruption.
Nadiem's arrest was initially met with public skepticism, and many questioned whether there was enough evidence to justify the government's actions. This trial may shed more light on the case and provide clarity on the government's intentions behind the prosecution.