In a surprising development that has shaken Indonesia’s tech and political worlds, Nadiem Makarim, the famous founder of Gojek and former Education Minister, was arrested on September 4, 2025. This event marks a big moment in the country’s fight against corruption, involving a huge laptop procurement deal for schools. Let’s break down what happened in simple terms.
Who Is Nadiem Makarim?
Nadiem Makarim is a well-known figure in Indonesia. Born in 1984, he started his career in business consulting before launching Gojek in 2010. What began as a simple motorcycle ride-hailing service grew into a massive super app offering everything from food delivery to payments. Gojek made Nadiem a billionaire and a symbol of Indonesia’s startup success.
In 2019, he entered politics when President Joko Widodo appointed him as Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. During his time in office until 2024, Nadiem focused on modernizing education, including pushing for digital tools in schools. Many saw him as a fresh, innovative leader bringing tech ideas to government.
What Led to the Arrest?
The arrest stems from a corruption investigation into the purchase of Chromebook laptops for Indonesian schools. This was part of a larger “school digitalization” program worth about 9.3 trillion rupiah (around $600 million). Prosecutors claim that Nadiem abused his power by favoring Google technology, like Chromebooks, before a fair bidding process was even started.
The alleged corruption caused a loss of about 1.9 trillion rupiah (roughly $115 million) to the state. Nadiem is one of five suspects in the case, and right after being named a suspect, he was detained at the Salemba facility in South Jakarta. Investigators say he ignored proper procedures, possibly to speed up the project during the COVID-19 pandemic when online learning was crucial.
Nadiem has denied any wrongdoing, stating he did nothing wrong and was just trying to help education during tough times.
News of the arrest spread quickly, making headlines in local and international media. Outlets like AP News and The Jakarta Post covered it extensively, highlighting how this case links tech giants like Google with government deals. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), people shared mixed views. Some expressed shock, with one user noting the difference in Nadiem’s expression compared to other arrested figures. Others discussed the broader implications for Indonesia’s anti-corruption efforts.
Even foreign media picked up the story, showing how Nadiem’s global profile as a tech entrepreneur amplified the news.
This arrest could signal a stronger push against corruption under the new administration. It also raises questions about how tech companies influence government projects. For Nadiem, it might tarnish his reputation as a reformer, but the case is ongoing, and he could still prove his innocence.
Indonesia’s education system, which Nadiem tried to improve, now faces scrutiny over how funds were spent. As the investigation continues, many will watch to see if justice is served fairly.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. What do you think about this case? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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