Ex-minister Nadiem Makarim under house arrest on health grounds

hartono · May 12, 2026

Ex-minister Nadiem Makarim under house arrest on health grounds

Nadiem Makarim (center), a defendant in the alleged corruption case involving Chromebook procurement for the Ministry of Education's digitalization program, walks out of the courtroom following a hearing at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Monday (May 11, 2026). (ANTARA FOTO/Asprilla Dwi Adha)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s former education minister, Nadiem Makarim, was placed under house arrest on Monday, following a court ruling linked to a multi-year corruption investigation involving a state-funded digital education procurement program.

Nadiem, who served from 2019 to 2024, is accused of involvement in graft surrounding the acquisition of Chromebooks and management software.

Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Anang Supriatna confirmed on Tuesday the shift from detention center to residential custody, stating, “The prosecution team has executed the judge's order to transition NM to house arrest.”

Under the terms set by the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court, the former tech executive must wear an electronic tracking bracelet and remain under 24-hour surveillance.

“He cannot leave the house without permission from the judges and prosecutors,” Supriatna added.

Presiding Judge Purwanto Abdullah granted the transfer primarily on health grounds, as Nadiem is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.

While confined, Nadiem is required to report to prosecutors twice weekly and has surrendered all travel documents.

The court has strictly prohibited him from communicating with any witnesses or co-defendants involved in the case.