Prosecutors have alleged irregularities in the 2021 procurement of Chromebook laptops and Chrome Device Management (CDM) systems for schools, involving a former member of parliament and several business figures. Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti is accused of facilitating the involvement of three business associates in the process while serving on Commission X of the House of Representatives, the parliamentary body overseeing education.
Allegations of Influence
According to the indictment presented in court on January 5, 2025, Agustina met multiple times between August 2020 and April 2021 with then-Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, at a hotel in South Jakarta. These meetings occurred before and after discussions regarding the ministry’s budget implementation document (DIPA).
Lack of Price Assessment
The prosecution highlighted a key irregularity: the absence of a proper price assessment during the procurement of 431,730 Chromebook laptops in 2021. This total consisted of 189,165 units funded through the DIPA and 242,565 units financed by the 2021 Regional Allocation Fund (DAK).
Prosecutors allege that Agustina requested the inclusion of her associates in the project during a meeting with Nadiem and senior official Hamid Muhammad. Nadiem reportedly directed Agustina to discuss the matter with Hamid Muhammad. Hamid Muhammad then advised Agustina to contact Jumeri, the ministry’s Director General at the time.
Names Forwarded to Ministry Officials
Investigators claim Agustina contacted Jumeri via WhatsApp, referencing her meeting with the minister and his recommendation to follow up. She then allegedly forwarded the names of Hendrik Tio of PT Bhinneka Mentaridimensi, Michael Sugiarto of PT Tera Data Indonusa (Axioo), and Timothy Siddik of PT Zyrexindo Mandiri Buana to ministry officials.
Prosecutors state that Jumeri, Hamid Muhammad, Sri Wahyuningsih (Director of Elementary Education), Mulyatsyah (Director of Junior High Education), and Purwadi Sutanto (Director of Senior High Education) received these names repeatedly and were asked to ensure the companies’ involvement in the procurement process.
Financial Gains Alleged
The indictment details alleged financial gains for the companies linked to the three businessmen:
- PT Bhinneka Mentaridimensi: Rp281.67 billion (US$16.8 million)
- PT Tera Data Indonusa (Axioo): Rp177.41 billion
- PT Zyrexindo Mandiri Buana (Zyrex): Rp41.18 billion
This case is reportedly part of a larger investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities within the government’s broader education technology procurement program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Commission X?
Commission X is the parliamentary body within the House of Representatives that oversees education matters, including budget allocation and policy decisions related to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology.
What is the DIPA and DAK?
The DIPA is the ministry’s budget implementation document, while the DAK is the Regional Allocation Fund, a fund distributed to regional governments. Both were used to finance the procurement of Chromebook laptops in 2021.
What could happen next?
The case is currently proceeding through the court system. A possible next step is further investigation and testimony from witnesses. Depending on the court’s findings, Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti and other individuals involved could face criminal charges and penalties. The investigation into broader irregularities in the education technology procurement program may also continue.
How might increased scrutiny of government procurement processes impact future technology initiatives in education?
