The public prosecutor from Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has expressed strong regret over the absence of legal counsel representing former minister Nadiem Makarim during a scheduled hearing in the alleged Chromebook procurement corruption case at the Jakarta Corruption Court.
The trial, held at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (April 22), was expected to proceed with witness examination and evidentiary proceedings. However, the absence of the defense team led to an unexpected postponement, prompting criticism from the prosecution regarding procedural conduct and courtroom professionalism.
Public Prosecutor Roy Riady, speaking in a written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday, said that such an absence undermines the integrity of judicial proceedings and violates the principle of procedural compliance expected in criminal trials.
He stressed that any objections, procedural requests, or motions for adjournment should be formally submitted within the courtroom setting rather than being expressed through absence or non-attendance.
According to him, the judicial process requires adherence to established legal procedures, and any deviation from these standards risks disrupting the orderly administration of justice.
Roy also rejected the idea that courtroom absence could be interpreted as a form of protest, stating that trials are not platforms for public demonstrations or symbolic gestures.
He emphasized that legal disagreements between prosecutors and defense attorneys are a normal part of judicial proceedings and should be addressed through formal argumentation before the court.
Such differences, he added, should be properly recorded in court proceedings as part of the official legal process, rather than being expressed through conduct outside procedural norms.
Regarding the condition of defendant Nadiem Makarim, the prosecution confirmed that the former minister was reported to be unwell on the day of the hearing. Roy stated that the prosecution team had brought the defendant to the court location, but later received information from the detention center indicating that he was experiencing health issues.
Although an official medical certificate had not yet been submitted at the time of the hearing, the prosecution acknowledged the report and requested a postponement of the trial on humanitarian grounds.
Roy said the decision to support an adjournment was made out of respect for the defendant’s condition, even in the absence of complete medical documentation at that stage.
The panel of judges at the Corruption Court subsequently agreed to delay proceedings in the alleged corruption case involving Chromebook procurement, citing both the defendant’s reported illness and the absence of defense counsel.
Chief Judge Purwanto Abdullah announced that the hearing would be rescheduled to Monday (April 27), with the next session focusing on the examination of witnesses and a de charge experts, or witnesses presented in favor of the defendant.
The court also urged all parties to ensure full attendance at the next hearing to avoid further procedural delays. The judge specifically expressed hope that Nadiem Makarim would recover in time to participate in the proceedings, while also calling on the defense team to maintain professional obligations and attend the rescheduled trial.
The case itself is part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of Chromebook devices within a government-linked program. Prosecutors allege that the procurement process involved procedural violations that may have resulted in state financial losses, although detailed figures and legal conclusions are still being examined in court.
The trial is expected to continue over the coming weeks as the court hears testimony from witnesses, experts, and related parties involved in the procurement chain.
As the proceedings move forward, legal observers note that the case is likely to draw continued public attention due to its high-profile defendant and its implications for procurement governance and accountability within Indonesia’s public sector.
