Jakarta prosecutors seek 18 years jail for Gojek boss

Indonesian prosecutors have sought an 18-year prison sentence for a co-founder of ride-hailing and payments giant Gojek over his alleged role in a corruption case tied to the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a hearing at Jakarta's Corruption Court, prosecutors also sought a fine of one billion rupiah (about $A78,924) and requested the seizure of Nadiem Anwar Makarim' s assets if he fails to repay 809 billion rupiah (about $A66.5 million) linked to the program, along with 4.8 trillion rupiah (about $A380.1 million) in funds they described as unexplained wealth. Under the proposal, he would face an additional nine years in prison if he does not comply within one month after a final court ruling. Makarim was arrested in September after an investigation into the procurement, which prosecutors say caused about $US125 million ($A173 million) in state losses. Earlier this week, judges approved a change in his detention status to house arrest following surgery. The trial has drawn significant public attention, often attended by hundreds of "ojek" motorcycle taxi drivers showing solidarity for the man who revolutionised Indonesia's gig economy. The case centres on allegations that Makarim, who served as education minister from 2019 to 2024, "enriched himself" through the government's Chromebook procurement program in 2020–2022. Prosecutors told the three-judge panel that he abused his position to influence policy decisions and corporate dealings. They alleged Makarim pressured Google to invest in PT Aplikasi Karya Anak Bangsa (PT AKAB), the parent company of Gojek, which later became part of GoTo Group. During proceedings, prosecutors downplayed testimony from three former Google executives who said Google's investment in GoTo was unrelated to the Indonesian government's decision to procure Chromebooks for schools. "Google's investment in GoTo is considered a mutually beneficial relationship that may have influenced Chromebook procurement policy," prosecutors told the court, asserting that the Chromebook procurement and Google's investment — totalling about $US787 million ($A1.1 billion) via Google Asia Pacific — were interconnected. A panel of judges is expected to deliver a verdict in the coming weeks. If convicted, Makarim faces one of the harshest corruption sentences in recent Indonesian history. Responding to the sentencing demand, Makarim denied wrongdoing and criticised what he called an excessive punishment. "These are lawful earnings from building a company and creating jobs," he told reporters after the hearing, referring to his stake in Gojek. "I am effectively being charged with 27 or 28 years in prison, far more than many violent criminals." He said there was "no administrative violation and no element of corruption" in his actions, adding that the restitution sought by prosecutors far exceeded his actual wealth. The Chromebook program was launched during the pandemic to support remote learning. Prosecutors said Makarim favoured Chromebooks despite concerns they were ineffective in areas with limited internet access. Makarim has maintained that procurement decisions were made by technical officials, not by him. His lawyers argue that he divested from PT AKAB upon taking office and that his wealth declined during his tenure.