Politics · Singapore Bureau
Indonesian court reduces Gojek founder's sentence to 9 years on appeal
Nadiem Makarim, the co-founder of Indonesia's ride-hailing giant Gojek, has had his sentence reduced following an appeal hearing. The entrepreneur was convicted of abusing his authority in the procurement of Google Chromebooks for schools.
LSN Singapore ·
An Indonesian appeals court has reduced the sentence handed to Nadiem Makarim to nine years imprisonment, according to court proceedings on Wednesday. Makarim, who co-founded the Southeast Asian tech unicorn Gojek, had been found guilty of abusing his position of authority during his tenure in government.
The conviction relates to irregularities in the procurement of Google Chromebooks for educational institutions. Makarim previously served as Indonesia's Minister of Education and Culture before returning to lead Gojek, one of the region's most valuable startups.
The appeals court's decision to reduce his sentence marks a significant development in the high-profile case involving one of Indonesia's most prominent technology entrepreneurs. Details regarding the specific grounds for the sentence reduction were not immediately available.
The case has drawn considerable attention given Makarim's prominence in Indonesia's tech sector and his previous government role. Gojek, founded in 2010, has expanded operations across Southeast Asia and competes directly with regional rival Grab in the ride-hailing and digital services market.