Nadiem Makarim becomes Indonesia’s education minister, keeps Gojek stake

Gojek co-founder and former CEO Nadiem Makarim has been appointed minister of education and culture in Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s new cabinet.

Makarim’s departure from Gojek to take up a government post was announced earlier this week, though his exact role wasn’t confirmed until today.

There had been widespread speculation that he would be taking on a digital economy-related portfolio – leading to concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Gojek’s star status in Indonesia’s tech ecosystem.

Nadiem Makarim / Photo credit: World Economic Forum / Sikarin Thanachaiary

Gojek confirmed yesterday that Makarim would not retain “any executive or advisory role” with the company. However, a spokesperson later indicated that the former Gojek CEO will hold on to his stake in the company as a “passive shareholder.”

Now that he has been unveiled as education and culture minister, Makarim would appear to be at arm’s length from his former company, helping to allay conflict-of-interest concerns.

Gojek co-founder Kevin Aluwi and the company’s former president, Andre Soelistyo, have taken over as co-CEOs. Aluwi will focus on product development and Gojek’s transport and food delivery businesses, while Soelistyo will oversee capital allocation, international expansion, and the company’s financial services business.