GoTo confirms cooperation after office raided in corruption probe

Indonesian tech company GoTo confirmed its cooperation with authorities following a raid on its office by the attorney general’s office earlier this week.

The raid is linked to an investigation into alleged corruption related to the Ministry of Education’s laptop procurement program from 2019 to 2022.

Indonesia’s state news agency Antara reported that the attorney general’s office seized evidence during the operation.

GoTo has not been accused of any wrongdoing and stated its commitment to supporting the legal process.

“We are cooperating with the authorities and following their directions,” said Ade Mulya, the company’s director of public affairs and communications.

The investigation is ongoing. No further details have been disclosed by the authorities.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Indonesia’s intensifying corporate anti-corruption enforcement reaches tech sector

The raid on GoTo’s offices reflects Indonesia’s evolving anti-corruption framework that increasingly targets corporate entities, not just individuals.

Since 2016, when Indonesia’s Supreme Court issued Regulation 13/2016 explicitly allowing for corporate criminal liability in corruption cases, companies have faced greater scrutiny in corruption investigations 1.

This marked a significant shift, with PT Duta Graha Indah becoming the first corporation named as a corruption suspect in 2017, signaling Indonesia’s commitment to holding companies accountable 2.

Public procurement, like the education ministry’s laptop contract under investigation, is particularly vulnerable, with government estimates suggesting corruption in this area costs Indonesia up to USD 4 billion annually 3.

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has maintained an impressive 100% conviction rate in its first 13 years of operation, demonstrating the seriousness with which corruption cases are pursued 2.

The investigation involving GoTo shows how even prominent technology companies aren’t immune from the broader anti-corruption campaign that has previously targeted various sectors.