The co-founder of Indonesian ride-hailing and technology conglomerate Gojek was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday in a controversial corruption case, as reported by Inside Retail Asia. Makarim, whose full name was not disclosed in the initial report, was also ordered to pay 1 billion rupiah in fines and to return over 800 billion rupiah (approximately US$45 million) to the state.
The verdict has sparked debate among legal observers and the business community, with some questioning the evidence and the severity of the sentence. Gojek, which started as a ride-hailing service and expanded into digital payments, food delivery, and logistics, was valued at over $10 billion at its peak. Makarim stepped down from active management years ago but remained a prominent figure in Southeast Asia's startup scene.
The case is seen as a test of Indonesia's anti-corruption efforts, which have intensified under the current administration. Legal experts expect an appeal, and the case could have broader implications for corporate governance in the country's fast-growing tech sector.