The legal counsel for former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek), Nadiem Makarim, Dodi S. Abdulkadir, has asserted that his client was not involved in the Google Cloud procurement at the Ministry. Dodi explained that during his testimony to KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission) investigators, Nadiem clarified that the use of Google Cloud fell under the purview of operational implementers within Kemendikbudristek.
“In this context, it was the Data and Information Technology Center (Pusdatin) responsible, so there was no involvement from Mr. Nadiem as the then-Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology,” Dodi stated in Jakarta on Saturday. He further added that Nadiem has not yet received any updates regarding the ongoing investigation into the case by the KPK.
Dodi emphasized Nadiem’s stance: “He would certainly understand if the KPK does not pursue this Google Cloud matter further, as there was no unlawful act committed by him. The decision to use Google Cloud was made at the operational level, not at the ministerial level.” Nadiem, Dodi added, hopes for fair legal treatment throughout the process.
This defense comes after the KPK previously disclosed that Nadiem Makarim was identified as one of the potential suspects in an alleged corruption case concerning the Google Cloud procurement at Kemendikbudristek. This revelation was made before the case’s handling was ultimately transferred to the Attorney General’s Office.
Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, confirmed this, stating, “Yes, the individual is the same, NM,” at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on a Thursday. Asep’s statement further elaborated on KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto’s earlier remarks on November 18, which indicated that the potential suspect in the Google Cloud case was identical to a suspect in the alleged corruption of the 2019–2022 education digitalization program, specifically regarding Chromebook procurement, a case currently handled by the Attorney General’s Office.
Additionally, Asep mentioned that another individual identified by the KPK as a potential suspect in the Google Cloud case is Jurist Tan (JT), Nadiem Makarim‘s former Special Staff. However, Asep also clarified that there are some potential suspects in the Google Cloud investigation who are different from those involved in the case already being handled by the Attorney General’s Office. “So, there are some differences, but overall, there’s also an overlap,” he concluded.
Summary
Kuasa hukum mantan Mendikbudristek, Nadiem Makarim, Dodi S. Abdulkadir, membantah keterlibatan kliennya dalam pengadaan Google Cloud di kementerian. Dodi menjelaskan kepada KPK bahwa penggunaan Google Cloud merupakan ranah pelaksana operasional di Pusat Data dan Teknologi Informasi (Pusdatin). Nadiem tidak terlibat dalam keputusan di tingkat menteri dan berharap proses hukum berjalan adil karena tidak ada perbuatan melawan hukum yang dilakukannya.
Sebelumnya, KPK telah mengidentifikasi Nadiem Makarim (NM) sebagai salah satu calon tersangka dalam kasus dugaan korupsi pengadaan Google Cloud ini, sebelum kasus tersebut dilimpahkan ke Kejaksaan Agung. KPK juga mengonfirmasi Jurist Tan (JT), mantan Staf Khusus Nadiem, sebagai calon tersangka lain. Pejabat KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu menyebutkan adanya tumpang tindih nama calon tersangka dengan kasus program digitalisasi pendidikan yang ditangani Kejaksaan Agung.
