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Jakarta High Court Grants Former Education Minister Permission to Call Additional Witnesses in Chromebook Procurement Appeal
The decision follows earlier motions filed in April and May of the same year and expands the evidentiary base in the ongoing corruption case linked to the
The DKI Jakarta High Court approved former Minister Nadiem Makarim’s request to summon five new witnesses on August 5, 2026. The decision follows earlier motions filed in April and May of the same year and expands the evidentiary base in the ongoing corruption case linked to the procurement of Chromebooks for Indonesian schools.
The court’s order was issued on August 5, 2026, by the DKI Jakarta High Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, allowing the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, to call five additional witnesses in his appeal of the Chromebook procurement case [1]. The case concerns alleged irregularities in the acquisition of laptop computers for public schools between 2019 and 2022, a matter that has been under investigation by public prosecutors since early 2025 [2].
Makarim, who served as Indonesia’s Minister of Education from 2019 to 2024, filed a formal request with the court to broaden the witness list, a motion that was reviewed by a panel of judges led by Presiding Judge Subachran Hardi Mulyana [2]. The judges examined the legal arguments presented by Makarim’s counsel and the prosecution before granting permission for the additional testimony [2]. The court’s approval adds four new witnesses and one expert to the existing roster, bringing the total to five newly authorized participants [2].
Court Decision Details
The High Court’s ruling specifies that the five newly authorized individuals may be called to provide testimony or expert analysis related to the procurement process. The decision references the court’s authority to permit supplementary evidence when it may assist in clarifying factual disputes [1]. Judge Subachran Hardi Mulyana indicated that the panel considered the relevance of the proposed witnesses and the potential contribution to a comprehensive understanding of the case [2].
The newly permitted witnesses include individuals identified by Makarim’s legal team as possessing direct knowledge of procurement contracts, logistical arrangements, and technical specifications of the Chromebook devices. The expert, whose qualifications were vetted by the court, is expected to address technical standards and compliance issues associated with the hardware acquisition [2]. The court’s order does not disclose the names of the witnesses, citing procedural confidentiality.
Court Decision Details The High Court’s ruling specifies that the five newly authorized individuals may be called to provide testimony or expert analysis related to the procurement process.
The approval arrives after the court previously allowed Makarim to examine four witnesses and one additional expert in earlier proceedings [2]. The cumulative effect of these authorizations expands the evidentiary scope, allowing both factual and technical dimensions of the case to be explored more fully during the appeal phase.
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Read More →Procedural History
Makarim’s initial request to summon additional testimony was filed on April 14, 2026, when he asked the public prosecutors to bring six witnesses to the trial [3]. The six individuals identified at that time were special staff members of the Ministry of Education, senior procurement officials, and technical advisors involved in the Chromebook contract. The request sought to introduce testimony that could clarify decision-making processes and contractual compliance.
On May 7, 2026, the court heard new testimony from seven teachers who had previously appeared in the corruption trial concerning the Chromebook procurement [4]. These teachers provided statements regarding the distribution and functional performance of the laptops in classroom settings. Their testimony was recorded as part of the broader evidentiary record, though it did not directly address the procurement contracts themselves.
Following the May hearing, Makarim’s legal team submitted a revised petition to the High Court, narrowing the focus to five witnesses whose testimony was deemed most directly relevant to contested procurement procedures [1]. The court’s subsequent approval on August 5 reflects a culmination of these procedural steps, indicating that the appellate process is moving toward a more detailed factual examination.
Impact on Education Stakeholders
The expanded witness list may influence the final judgment in the Chromebook procurement case, potentially affecting the legal standing of the Ministry of Education’s former leadership and the accountability mechanisms governing public procurement [1][2]. For educators and school administrators, the outcome could determine whether procurement contracts are upheld, revised, or subject to remedial actions, thereby influencing future technology acquisition strategies.
Students stand to be indirectly affected by the case’s resolution, as any rulings on contract validity may impact the availability and quality of digital learning tools in public schools.
Students stand to be indirectly affected by the case’s resolution, as any rulings on contract validity may impact the availability and quality of digital learning tools in public schools. If the appeal results in procedural reforms, procurement processes could become more transparent, potentially reducing the risk of future irregularities and ensuring more reliable delivery of educational technology.
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Read More →For the broader Indonesian public sector, the High Court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s role in scrutinizing large-scale procurement contracts. The inclusion of technical experts among the new witnesses may set a precedent for incorporating specialized knowledge in corruption investigations, thereby strengthening evidentiary standards in future cases involving complex technology acquisitions.
Key Facts
What: Jakarta High Court authorized former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim to call five additional witnesses in the Chromebook procurement appeal.
When: Decision issued on August 5, 2026; earlier requests filed on April 14, 2026, and May 7, 2026.
What: Jakarta High Court authorized former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim to call five additional witnesses in the Chromebook procurement appeal.
Impact: Expanded testimony may affect the case outcome, influencing procurement practices and technology availability in Indonesian schools.
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Read More →Sources
- Nadiem Makarim cleared to call 5 witnesses in Chromebook appeal – Tech in Asia
- PT DKI Jakarta Judge Approves Nadiem’s Request to Examine Additional … – VOI
- Nadiem Makarim Asks Court to Summon Six Witnesses in Chromebook Case – TEMPO.CO
- New Testimony in Nadiem’s Alleged Chromebook Corruption Case – TEMPO.CO
