Indonesian Prosecutors Stoke Disquiet Over Questionable Graft Cases

KN. Indonesian law enforcement agencies are coming under increasing scrutiny over the high-profile corruption prosecutions of public officials and state-owned company executives for decisions that prosecutors have argued cost the government millions of dollars but, according to analysts, do not appear to have been motivated by criminal intent.

The cases have stoked investor concerns about how the authorities define criminal liability in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and prompted warnings that talented Indonesians are being discouraged from working for the government or doing business with state entities.

Attracting the most headlines, both in the mainstream news and on social media, has been former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim. He has been accused of causing state losses through the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops and of personally benefiting from Google’s investment in Gojek, the tech company he co-founded, despite the investment occurring before he joined the government.