Asian Super-App Gojek's Founder Sentenced To Years In Jail: What Happened

Last Updated:June 30, 2026, 17:36 IST

Nadiem Makarim sentenced to 10 years for corruption over Chromebook deals, faces extra jailtime over unpaid restitution and continues to deny wrongdoing.

Nadiem Makarim, co-founder of super-app Gojek and Indonesia’s former education minister, has been sentenced to several years in jail for corruption.

The 41-year-old, found guilty of manipulating a school laptop procurement deal during his time in government, has received a 10-year jail term but will be facing more jail time as he is unable to pay restitution.

Charges That Nadiem Makarim Faces

Nadiem’s app, Gojek, has more than 170 million users. It is used for transport and digital payments.

BBC quoted prosecutors alleging that under Nadiem’s tenure as education minister, Chromebooks were purchased even though the ministry had determined in 2018 that the computers required an internet connection to be used, which made them unsuitable in remote areas of Indonesia where internet connectivity is difficult.

The purchase of Chromebooks was made following his meeting with Google representatives in 2020.

The prosecutors claimed that Nadiem favoured Google as a Gojek investor, saying he created tender specifications that only fit the Chrome system to “make Google the sole controller of the education ecosystem in Indonesia".

He, however, remained a minority shareholder in Gojek while he was the education minister.

Nadiem’s actions have been termed as a violation of the government’s anti-corruption pledges. He was accused of causing $125m in state losses. He was also accused of benefiting from 809 billion rupiah worth of transactions involving Gojek’s holding company, BBC reported.

While rejecting the allegations, he has said that the ministry’s choice to purchase the Chromebooks resulted in reduced costs for the government. He also said that 809 billion rupiah was in company accounts and he had never touched the money personally.

Court Order

According to BBC, when the judge delivered the verdict on Tuesday, Nadiem appeared visibly emotional and began crying, while supporters outside the courtroom booed loudly.

“I do not know what words I can use to explain how I feel today," he said after exiting the courtroom. “I do not know whom I should ask for help, or where I can seek justice. My only hope is in the Indonesian people, in those who still believe that truth still exists in this country."

Along with the 10-year jail term, Nadiem has been ordered to pay restitution of 809 billion rupiah or serve an additional five years. During the hearing, he told the court that he would be unable to pay this amount, resulting in him effectively being sentenced to 15 years. He also faces a one billion rupiah fine. If unpaid, he will serve an additional 190 days in jail.

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