Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Indonesia court cuts Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim's sentence on appeal
An Indonesian court has changed the prison sentence of Nadiem Makarim from 10 years to nine years.
He was found guilty in a case about buying laptops for schools.
Judges said the purchasing rules were changed to favor Google’s Chrome system.
They said this helped Google and reduced competition.
The case was linked to reported state losses of $125 million.
The court also lowered the amount of money Makarim must repay.
Makarim said he was disappointed with the decision.
He plans to ask the Supreme Court to review the case.
An Indonesian court reduced Nadiem Makarim’s prison sentence from 10 years to nine years.
The court upheld his conviction over improper Google Chromebook procurement for Indonesian schools.
Judges said the tender requirements were adjusted to favor Chrome and restrict competition.
Restitution was reduced from 809 billion rupiah to 548 billion rupiah, or about $30.6 million.
Makarim rejected the ruling, called it damaging to legal credibility, and said he would appeal to the Supreme Court.
- Who
- Nadiem Makarim, Gojek founder and former Indonesian education minister, was convicted in the case.
- What
- An appeal court reduced his prison sentence to nine years and lowered his restitution obligation while upholding the conviction.
- When
- The appeal ruling was reported on September 24; Makarim was originally sentenced in June and filed his appeal on July 1.
- Where
- The appeal was heard in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Why
- Judges said Makarim abused his authority by adjusting laptop tender requirements to favor Chrome, benefiting Google and restricting competition.
Court’s findings
Nadiem Makarim’s response
Validity of the conviction
Court’s findings
Judges said they rejected Makarim’s request to dismiss all charges because the earlier ruling was consistent with trial facts, evidence, and witness testimony.
Nadiem Makarim’s response
Makarim expressed disappointment and said the ruling harmed not only him but also the credibility of Indonesia’s law enforcement system.
Laptop procurement
Court’s findings
The court upheld the finding that tender requirements were adjusted to favor Chrome, benefiting Google and restricting competition.
Nadiem Makarim’s response
Makarim sought dismissal of all charges and plans to challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court.
- Original sentence
- 10 years in prison, imposed in June
- Appeal sentence
- Nine years in prison
- Original restitution
- 809 billion rupiah
- Reduced restitution
- 548 billion rupiah
- Approximate reduced restitution
- About $30.6 million, based on the exchange rate reported
- Reported state losses
- $125 million
- Next legal step
- Makarim said he would appeal to the Supreme Court