ICW: Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Chromebook Project Not Found in LKPP System

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Indonesia Corruption Watch or ICW has suspected for several years that the procurement project for Chromebook laptops at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology or Kemendikbudristek would encounter issues. In an analysis conducted by ICW in 2021, the program was not found in the information system of the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Agency or LKPP.

In addition, the project does not yet align with the uneven internet network conditions in Indonesia, and the technology providers in Indonesia are very limited.

Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Dewi Anggraeni, when contacted from Jakarta on Wednesday (28/5/2025), stated that ICW conducted a study and public discussion in August 2021 regarding the Chromebook laptop procurement program at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. "(At that time) We recommended that the Chromebook laptop procurement program be reviewed," said Dewi.

ICW argues that the procurement of information and communication technology devices for the digitalization of education is considered not in accordance with the conditions of Indonesia, where internet access is still uneven. Meanwhile, the Chrome operating system (OS) is highly dependent on the internet. Another reason is that the push for the use of domestic products at that time seemed forced, while there were only 6 domestic providers that met the criteria set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in the program.

The limited choice of providers, according to Dewi, could ultimately lead to unhealthy business competition. At that time, ICW also assessed that there are still other educational services that are more of a priority.

What further strengthens ICW's conviction to have the program canceled is that ICW did not find a plan for the procurement of Chromebook laptops in the General Procurement Plan Information System (SiRUP) owned by LKPP. The program is also considered to have minimal planning.

"The non-publication of the list of schools receiving procurement opens up significant potential for corruption. This is because the procurement conducted could exceed the actual needs," explained Dewi.

ICW did not find any plans to procure Chromebook laptops in LKPP's General Procurement Plan Information System (SiRUP).

From several indications, Dewi stated that ICW has observed the potential for corruption within the program. Violations of several regulations and the lack of providers leading to unhealthy business competition have convinced ICW that the potential for corruption is high. However, ICW did not expect that investigators from the Attorney General's Office would enter the case with allegations of conspiracy.

"This ICT (Information and Communication Technology-Based Learning Program) program seems forced," he said.

According to a report by ICW shared in September 2021, it was stated that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology requires adequate supporting facilities and infrastructure, such as internet access and technological devices, in initiating the education digitization program. The program is planned to cost Rp 17.42 trillion by 2024.

In 2021, the government allocated Rp 3.7 trillion for ICT equipment expenditures. This budget was sourced from the Kemdikbudristek budget amounting to Rp 1.3 trillion (35 percent), with the remaining Rp 2.4 trillion (65 percent) coming from the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) for physical education. Additionally, there is Rp 1.4 trillion in the education budget within the Regional Incentive Fund (DID) that is also designated to support the digitalization of education.

From the ICW study, the government is urged to reevaluate the program so that it does not merely become a procurement project that has little impact on the advancement of educational services. Conversely, the government is expected to pay more attention and allocate budget for more priority programs, such as the repair of damaged/unfit school infrastructure, limited classroom space, insufficient number of public school desks, high dropout rates, and needs arising from the pandemic, such as the requirement for internet quotas.

"The government, particularly the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, must reassess the procurement of ICT devices and prioritize the provision of adequate educational infrastructure for digital platforms before proceeding with the procurement of the devices," stated the recommendation from ICW.

In this case, investigators from the Attorney General's Office found evidence of collusion or conspiracy by directing a newly formed technical team to prioritize laptops with a Chromebook operating system in the Technical Study for the Procurement of ICT Equipment. Consequently, when the procurement of goods and services was carried out, the chosen item was a laptop with a Chromebook operating system, even though this was not based on actual needs.

In fact, from the trials conducted in 2018-2019, Pustekom of the Ministry of Education and Culture has identified obstacles, including that Chromebooks cannot be used without an internet connection. Meanwhile, the condition of internet connectivity in Indonesia is still uneven.

"There is an evil conspiracy, and this still needs to be investigated regarding who is involved," said the Head of the Legal Information Center of the Attorney General's Office, Harli Siregar.

In this case, investigators have searched the homes or apartments of two former special staff members of the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim, with the initials FH and JT. The investigators also seized several mobile phones, laptops, and dozens of agenda books.

Investigators have searched the homes or apartments of two former Special Staff to Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim.

Previously, Harli stated that there is a possibility for investigators to summon and request a statement from Nadiem Makarim, who served as the Minister of Education and Culture at that time. If this occurs, the questions will pertain to the implementation of the Education Digitalization Program from 2019 to 2022. Investigators will also inquire about his duties as Minister of Education and Culture, which include tasks performed independently and those carried out under the orders of others or by virtue of his position.

"All parties, regardless of who they are, that shed light on this criminal act may be summoned and examined," said Harli.