JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian prosecutors on Wednesday sought an 18-year prison sentence for a co-founder of ride-hailing and payments giant Gojek over his alleged role in a corruption case tied to the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops for schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.At a hearing at Jakarta’s Corruption Court, prosecutors also sought a fine of 1 billion rupiah (about $57,180) and requested the seizure of Nadiem Anwar Makarim’ s assets if he fails to repay 809 billion rupiah (about $48.2 million) linked to the program, along with 4.8 trillion rupiah (about $275.4 million) in funds they described as unexplained wealth.Under the proposal, he would face an additional nine years in prison if he does not comply within one month after a final court ruling.Makarim was arrested in September after an investigation into the procurement, which prosecutors say caused about $125 million in state losses. Earlier this week, judges approved a change in his detention status to house arrest following surgery.
The trial has drawn significant public attention, often attended by hundreds of “ojek” motorcycle taxi drivers showing solidarity for the man who revolutionized Indonesia’s gig economy.
