Former Education Official Admits to Receiving Payment in Chromebook Case
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Jakarta – Purwadi Sutanto, former Director of High school at the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, testified in the jakarta Corruption Court on January 6, 2026, revealing he received USD 7,000. He stated he immediately returned the money to investigators.
Details of the testimony
Purwadi’s testimony centers around a corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebooks and Chrome Device Management (CDM). The defendants in the case include Mulyatsyah (Director of Middle Schools at the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2020), Sri Wahyuningsih (Director of Elementary Schools, 2020-2021), and Ibrahim Arief, also known as IBAM, a consultant.
During questioning, the prosecutor inquired about the funds Purwadi received. “How much money did you witness return or entrust to investigators, sir? 7,000 United States dollars, sir?” The witness confirmed the amount was correct.
Purwadi explained that the money was given to him by Dhany Hamiddan Khoir, an official holding the position of PPK (Pejabat Pembuat Komitmen – Committing Officer). he stated the money was simply placed on the table without any explicit instructions, and that he was no longer in office at the time.
Investigators are examining the potential link between the payment and the Chromebook procurement process. Purwadi affirmed he returned the funds after questions arose about its origin.
Allegations of State Financial loss
The indictment alleges substantial financial losses to the state resulting from the Chromebook and CDM procurement between 2020 and 2022.prosecutors claim the scheme enriched several individuals, including Dhany Hamiddan Khoir (by IDR 200 million and USD 30,000) and Purwadi Sutanto (by USD 7,000).
The trial, initiated on December 16, 2025, centers on accusations that the defendants caused a loss of IDR 2.1 trillion (approximately USD 13.5 million as of January 6, 2026) to the state. This figure is comprised of inflated Chromebook prices – totaling IDR 1,567,888,662,716.74 (approximately USD 10.1 billion) – and the unnecessary and ineffective procurement of CDM, totaling USD 44,054,426 (approximately IDR 621,387,678,730).
According to Prosecutor Roy Riady, the loss calculation is based on an audit report by the Financial and Progress Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (No.PE.03.03/SR/SP-920/D6/02/2025, dated November 4, 2025).
Further Developments
Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, has denied receiving IDR 809 billion related to the Chromebook procurement (source: Video Statement by nadiem Makarim). (*Note: replace this placeholder YouTube link with the actual link to the video statement*).
(mib/fca)