Chromebook Procurement Scandal Rocks Indonesian Education Ministry

Allegations of Corruption and Misconduct

The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) is facing serious allegations of corruption related to the procurement of Chromebook laptops during the period of 2019-2022. The case has come to light through revelations made by the Prosecutor's Office during the trial of Sri Wahyuningsih, who served as the Director of Elementary Education and Budget Authority at the Ministry ¹

Companies Implicated in the Scandal

The Prosecutor's Office has identified 12 electronics companies that allegedly benefited from the Chromebook procurement process. The companies include:

• PT Supertone (SPC): Rp44.96 billion
• PT Asus Technology Indonesia (ASUS): Rp819.26 million
• PT Tera Data Indonesia (AXIOO): Rp177.41 billion
• PT Lenovo Indonesia (Lenovo): Rp19.18 billion
• PT Zyrexindo Mandiri Buana (Zyrexx): Rp41.18 billion

These figures were disclosed during the reading of the indictment against Sri Wahyuningsih at the Corruption Court in Central Jakarta ²

Ministerial Interference Allegations

The Prosecutor's Office further alleged that former Minister Nadiem Makarim replaced two high-ranking officials in June 2020 after they refused to comply with his directives regarding the Chromebook procurement. The officials replaced were Khamim, the former Director of Elementary Education, and Poppy Dewi Puspitawati, the former Director of Junior High School Education ¹

Implications of the Scandal

This corruption case has significant implications for the education sector and the companies involved. It highlights potential deep-seated issues within the procurement processes at the Ministry and raises questions about the integrity of major technology procurements in Indonesia's public sector.