The Attorney General's Office Explains Reasons For Not Determining Nadiem Makarim As A Suspect In The Chromebook Corruption Case

Kapuspenkum AGO Harli Siregar together with the Director of Investigation of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Abdul Qohar/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Makarim has not been named a suspect in the alleged corruption case in the procurement of laptops based on Chrome OS or Chromebooks. The Attorney General's Office (AGO) mentioned the reason because it still needed evidence.

Nadim Makarim is known to have twice been examined as a witness in the alleged corruption case.

"Why did NAM have he been examined from morning to night, then today he has not been named a suspect? Because based on the investigator's conclusions, there is still a need to deepen the evidence," said Director of Investigation at the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Abdul Qohar, to reporters, Tuesday, July 15.

The AGO emphasized that it would not stop investigating allegations of Chromebook corruption, even though it had named several suspects. Investigators will look for evidence and clues to ensure their involvement

If evidence is found, the investigator will not indiscriminately. All parties believed to have committed a criminal act will be named as suspects.

"Because we talk about the law, we talk about evidence. When the evidence is certain, we will determine it as a suspect," he said.

In addition, Abdul Qohar did not deny that based on the testimony of witnesses who had been examined, it was found that Nadiem Makarim was involved in the role.

Nadiem requested that the procurement of Chrome OS or Chromebook-based laptops must be carried out. In fact, the procurement stage is not through the auction process.

"Indeed, from the statements of the witnesses, including the 4 suspects, there had indeed been a zoom meeting chaired by NAM, who were there to use the chrome OS. At that time I had said that the auction had not yet been held or the process of procuring goods and services," he said.

However, the evidence is considered insufficient. Thus, investigators are still looking for other evidence to strengthen the belief that a criminal act has been committed.

"However, we need other evidence, evidence of evidence of clues, expert information for NAM," said Qohar.

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.