Jakarta high court rejects appeal and lowers restitution for Gojek founder
The Jakarta high court denied Nadiem Makarim's appeal, keeping his ten-year sentence and reducing the restitution amount he must pay.
A Jakarta high court panel rejected Nadiem Makarim's appeal to overturn all charges related to the procurement of Google Chromebooks for Indonesian schools. The court upheld the original ten-year prison sentence handed down in June after finding him guilty of abusing authority, which caused US$125 million in state losses. Judges also reduced the restitution liability from 809 billion rupiah to 548 billion rupiah.
One judge explained the decision was based on consistency with trial facts, evidence, and witness statements. After the ruling, Makarim expressed disappointment and announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, saying the verdict damages the credibility of Indonesia's law-enforcement system. The court reaffirmed that the tender had been adjusted to favor Chrome, benefiting Google and limiting competition.
Why it matters
The ruling affects a high-profile tech entrepreneur and highlights concerns over public procurement and judicial oversight in Indonesia.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the court’s decision to lower the restitution amount and reduce the prison term, but left-leaning coverage emphasizes the sentencing reduction and the defense’s criticism, while centrist coverage stresses the appeal’s rejection and the abuse-of-authority finding.
LEFT
Frames the story around the trimming of the prison term and highlights the defense’s view that the original decision was disproportionate.
CENTER
Frames the story as the court rejecting the appeal and reaffirming accountability for abuse of authority and the resulting financial loss.
The left emphasises
- prison term lowered to nine years
- defense lawyer said the initial decision did not proportionally consider the facts
- prosecutors allege the Chromebook purchases
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