Gojek co-founder arrested

(Dan Tri) - Mr. Nadiem Makarim was named as a suspect in a corruption case related to allegations of improper laptop purchases, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported that on Thursday, Indonesian investigators named former Education Minister and co-founder of ride-hailing app Gojek, Nadiem Makarim, as a suspect in a corruption case involving allegations of improper laptop purchases.

Authorities also said Mr. Makarim had been detained. An investigator at the Attorney General's Office said Mr. Makarim would be detained for 20 days while the investigation was ongoing.

Makarim, who served as education minister from 2019 to 2024, is accused of being involved in the purchase of Google Chromebook laptops for use at the ministry and for students, according to investigator Nurcahyo Jungkung Madyo.

Mr Makarim is accused of abusing his ministerial powers to benefit himself or a company, in violation of Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws. Investigators estimate the case cost the state 1.98 trillion rupiah ($121.85 million).

“For investigation purposes, Mr. Makarim will be detained for the next 20 days,” Nurcahyo said at a press conference.

According to Nurcahyo, the prosecution found that Makarim had issued a decree in 2021 that stipulated procurement specifications that were only suitable for Chromebooks. Before choosing Chromebooks, Makarim met with Google Indonesia representatives six times, Nurcahyo told reporters.

Co-founder of ride-hailing app Gojek – Mr. Nadiem Makarim (Photo: Reuters).

“I did nothing. God will protect me, the truth will come out,” local media quoted Mr. Makarim as saying before leaving the prosecutor’s office for a detention facility.

His lawyer did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Google Indonesia declined to comment on Mr. Makarim’s case. The company said it works with distributors and partners to provide technology, and that government agencies deal with these partners, not Google directly.

Last July, the Attorney General's Office searched the headquarters of GoTo technology company Gojek Tokopedia to search for related evidence, but did not provide further details.

“GoTo’s activities are not related to Nadiem Makarim’s duties as education minister, including the procurement of Chromebooks in the ministry,” Ade Mulya, GoTo’s director of external affairs and communications, said in a statement Thursday evening.

Mr. Makarim left Gojek after being appointed as a minister in 2019. Gojek merged with e-commerce startup Tokopedia in 2021 to form GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Indonesia's largest technology company.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/dong-sang-lap-gojek-bi-bat-tam-giam-20250905170915330.htm