9 Hours Asked For Information From The KPK, Nadiem Makarim Admits To Being Questioned By Investigators About Google Cloud

Former Minister Of Education And Technology Nadiem Makarim after being questioned by the KPK/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Education and Technology Nadiem Makarim has been asked for information from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) today. He admitted that he had explained about Google Cloud, whose procurement was being investigated because it was allegedly colored by fraudulent practices.

"Earlier, thank God, I was asked to provide information regarding cloud procurement at the Ministry of Education and Culture," Nadiem told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, August 7.

Nadiem admitted that he had given information to investigators.

"And I want to give my deepest appreciation to the KPK and have also given the opportunity to provide information," he said.

"Now, please, I want to go back to my family," continued Nadiem.

Nadiem then rushed out of the KPK's Red and White building. He was asked for information at around 18.45 WIB or after nine hours since his presence at 09.15 WIB.

Nadiem made no statement. Including, regarding the link between GoTo and Google which is a cloud or storage service provider.

The KPK has asked for information from Melissa Siska Juminto as GoTo's shareholder and Andre Sulistyo who is a former GoTo Commissioner on Tuesday, August 5.

Previously reported, the KPK said that the investigation into alleged corruption in the procurement of Google Cloud was still ongoing. Investigation is being carried out to find the fraudulent mode of practice.

"This is what we are investigating. Is this happening too expensive or what," said Acting Deputy for Enforcement of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu to reporters quoted on Saturday, July 26.

Asep said that the procurement of Google Cloud, which was suspected of being corrupted, occurred during the COVID-19 or 2020 pandemic. At that time, the government did make online school rules due to activity restrictions to prevent transmission of the virus.

This Google Cloud, he continued, serves to store data such as tasks to test results. Asep said, the way it works is actually the same as the current online storage on smart cellphones.

"We ourselves want to store photos, videos, or what, we are stored in the cloud. That's paying. Well, this too. The cloud is what we are investigating," he said.

Asep emphasized that this investigation is different from the Chromebook corruption investigation which has been handled by the Attorney General's Office (AGO). If Google Cloud is one of the software. The software is to place data, store data from all over Indonesia, all schools in Indonesia," said the Director of KPK Investigation.