The Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court’s panel of judges has granted a request to transfer the detention of Nadiem Makarim, the former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, who is a defendant in the Chromebook procurement corruption case. His status will shift from prison detention to house arrest.
This significant decision was formally announced by Chief Judge Purwanto S. Abdullah during a session at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, May 11, in accordance with decree Number 147/Pid.Sus-TPK/2025/PN Jkt.Pst. “We grant the defendant’s legal counsel’s petition to transfer the type of detention for the defendant,” the judge stated explicitly while reading the official decree.
The judicial panel clarified that this decision was reached after carefully considering Nadiem’s health condition and hearing testimonies from two doctors from Abdi Waluyo Hospital during the trial. The judges underscored that the right to health remains inherent to the defendant, even while undergoing criminal proceedings. “The right to health is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 28H, Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which stipulates that every person has the right to healthcare services. This right remains an intrinsic part of the defendant, despite their involvement in criminal judicial proceedings,” the judge emphasized.
Furthermore, the judicial panel also took into account expert medical opinions, which indicated that the optimal post-operative recovery process, typically lasting 3 to 6 weeks, could not be effectively managed within a state detention facility. Consequently, based on these compelling reasons, the judges ruled to transfer Nadiem Makarim’s detention from the Salemba Detention Center, South Jakarta District Attorney’s Office branch, to house arrest at his residence in the Kebayoran Baru area of South Jakarta, effective May 12, 2026.
This decree also outlined several stringent conditions for the duration of his house arrest. Nadiem is mandated to remain at home for 24 hours a day, with the sole exception of May 13 when he is scheduled for surgery. He is also required to report twice a week, surrender his passport, and is strictly prohibited from communicating with witnesses or other defendants involved in the case.
Adding to these conditions, Nadiem must consent to having an electronic monitoring device installed by the prosecution. “The defendant is obliged to consent to the installation of an electronic monitoring device on his person, provided that the necessary facilities and infrastructure are available at the Jakarta Central District Attorney’s Office. Under this provision, the defendant is forbidden from removing, damaging, manipulating, or interfering with the device’s function, must immediately report any damage, and ensure the device remains active and charged at all times,” the judge articulated.
The judge further cautioned that the house arrest status could be revoked if Nadiem were to violate any of the court-stipulated conditions. “We expect you to diligently observe the stipulated requirements. Should you commit any violations, we will revisit this decree,” the judge warned.
Following the court session, Nadiem expressed his profound gratitude for the judicial panel’s decision to grant his petition for house arrest. “I simply wish to utter ‘Alhamdulillah’ – my heartfelt gratitude to Allah. I also want to extend my thanks to the judicial panel for their humanity in granting this transfer of status to house arrest,” Nadiem stated, visibly relieved. He concluded by adding, “This allows me to undergo my surgery promptly and return to a sterile environment. I do not wish for this to disrupt the trial process; I will return to court as soon as possible because I want this matter to conclude swiftly.”
Summary
The Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court has granted former Minister Nadiem Makarim’s request to transfer his detention status from prison to house arrest. This decision, related to the Chromebook procurement corruption case, was announced on May 11 and took effect on May 12, 2026. The court cited Nadiem’s health condition and the need for optimal post-operative recovery, which could not be adequately managed in a state detention facility, as the primary reasons.
Strict conditions accompany the house arrest, including Nadiem remaining at home 24 hours daily, with an exception for a scheduled surgery on May 13. He must also report twice weekly, surrender his passport, and avoid communicating with witnesses or other defendants. Additionally, Nadiem is required to accept an electronic monitoring device, with any violation potentially leading to the revocation of his house arrest status.