Google denies involvement in $125 million Chromebook graft case in Indonesia
Summary
Former Google executives denied that Google was involved in a $125 million corruption case linked to Indonesia's Education Ministry procurement of Chromebooks. The case centers on Nadiem Makarim, former education minister and Gojek co-founder, who faces accusations of favoring Google products and receiving illegal payments.Key Facts
- Prosecutors claim that a Chromebook purchase for Indonesia's schools caused $125 million in state losses.
- Nadiem Makarim, former education minister and co-founder of Gojek, was arrested and accused of abuse of power in laptop procurement.
- Makarim allegedly pressured Google to invest in PT AKAB, Gojek's parent company, receiving about $48 million in connection with the deal.
- Over 1.2 million Chromebooks were bought as part of a government digital school program.
- Former Google executives Scott Beaumont, Caesar Sengupta, and William Florence testified denying Google's involvement in wrongdoing.
- Google says Chromebooks work offline and that it does not control their pricing.
- Prosecutors allege Makarim hid conflicts of interest by keeping indirect control over PT AKAB after becoming minister.
- Makarim faces a possible life sentence but denies wrongdoing and claims he sold his company shares before joining government.
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