Completed Checked 9 Hours, Nadiem Just Said This

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Makarim has finished undergoing examination as a witness related to the alleged corruption case in the procurement of Chrome OS or Chromebook-based laptops handled by the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

The examination of Nadiem Makarim took place for about nine hours which started at 09.00 WIB and finished 18.00 WIB.

Nadiem made no statement regarding the examination material or the number of questions raised by investigators.

The former Minister of Education and Technology only expressed his gratitude to the Prosecutor's Office for being given the opportunity to explain his knowledge about the Chromebook procurement project.

"Just finished my second call, and I want to thank the prosecutor for giving me the opportunity to provide information on this case," Nadiem told reporters, Tuesday, July 15.

Previously, the Head of the Attorney General's Office, Harli Siregar, said that investigators would explore many things in the process of examining Nadiem Makarim, one of which was the direction during the procurement process.

"Of course there are many things, for example whether there are directions in the procurement process, and others as much as possible," said Harli.

In addition, investigators will also explore the planning, implementation, and supervision of the Chromebook procurement project.

"Regarding how the supervisory function is carried out in the procurement of Chromebooks," he said.

On the other hand, when asked about Nadiem Makarim's potential to become a suspect, Harli was reluctant to answer. The reason is that this matter is the investigator's authority.

Of course, in the process of determining the suspect, investigators must have sufficient evidence.

"We don't have any information (determining the suspect)," said Harli.

It is known that Nadiem was supposed to be questioned on July 8, but through his attorney asked for a postponement for certain reasons. He last underwent an examination on Monday, June 23. The examination lasted for 12 hours, from 09.00 to 21.00 WIB.

"A total of 31 main questions that are also developing in the process are further questions and affirmations," said the Head of the AGO's Legal Information Center, Harli Siregar.

Investigators explored a number of technical study meetings held on April 6 and May 2020 regarding the procurement of Chromebooks. One of the focuses of the investigation is the alleged malicious consensus to draw up a technical study that directs the procurement of the device, although previously the technical team assessed that the use of Chromebooks was ineffective.

"In 2019 there has been a trial of 1,000 Chromebook units by the Ministry of Education and Culture's Pustekkom. The results are considered ineffective and the technical team recommends the Windows operating system," said Harli.

However, in mid-2020, the recommendation changed. The new technical study actually encourages the use of Chromebooks again.

Procurement of this laptop attracts a budget of around Rp9.98 trillion. Of that amount, around Rp3.58 trillion came from education unit funds (DSP), while the rest 'around Rp6.39 trillion' was sourced from special allocation funds (DAK).

The AGO is still exploring the roles of various parties in making decisions on the procurement of these devices, including the possibility of intervention in the preparation of technical studies.