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The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Alleged laptop procurement graft puts ex-minister Nadiem in spotlight
Former education, culture, research and technology minister Nadiem Makarim (centre) sits next to his lawyers Hotman Paris Hutapea (right) and Mohamad Ali Nurdin (left) during a press briefing in Jakarta. The former minister dismissed allegations of corruption pertaining to the Google Chromebook laptop procurement project in his ministry between 2019 and 2022. - Antara via The Jakarta Post/ANN JAKARTA: After finishing his term as former president Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's education minister, Nadiem Makarim is back in the public spotlight in the Attorney General's Office's (AGO) investigation into alleged corruption pertaining to a procurement project during his ministerial tenure. Investigators with the Office of the Assistant Attorney General for Extraordinary Crimes (Jampidsus) launched an investigation in May into alleged graft related to the procurement of Google Chromebook laptops by the then-education, culture, research and technology ministry between 2019 and 2022. Investigators interrogated at least 28 witnesses. Among them was Fiona Handayani, one of Nadiem's special staffers, who was summoned by the AGO on Tuesday (June 10) for an interrogation session. The AGO previously confiscated her laptop and mobile phones during a raid last month. AGO spokesperson Harli Siregar said that investigators planned to call in two of Nadiem's other former special staffers, identified as Jurist Tan and Ibrahim Arief, for questioning this week Investigators also seized their phones and computers as well as other documents from their houses during a recent raid. The AGO also slapped the three former special staffers with a travel ban on June 4, as they failed to fulfil a summons for an interrogation. According to the AGO, the procurement cost around Rp 9.9 trillion (US$607 million), around two-thirds of which was taken from a special allocated fund originally earmarked to be transferred by the central government to regional administrations. Harli said that investigators found indications of collusion to procure Chromebook laptops to be distributed to schools around the country. The Google-based laptops were picked despite initial tests in 2018 by the ministries' research team that discouraged the use of laptops because of their lack of effectiveness in regions without internet connections. He added that investigators also probed an allegation of price markup for the laptop. While Jampidsus investigators already had the name of five vendors allegedly involved in the case, Harli did not elaborate further on Google's role in the illicit practice. A representative of Google Indonesia was not immediately available to respond to The Jakarta Post's request for comment. The Jampidsus investigators were still looking for the people managing the procurement project as well as the mastermind who first proposed the idea. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Nadiem denied allegations of collusion to favour the Chromebook over other laptops. He also rebuked claims that his ministry dismissed the 2018 study outlining the laptop's disadvantage, claiming that the research was done before he took office in October 2024 and focussed on gadgets for schools in less developed and remote areas. 'Meanwhile, the laptop procurement during my term of office was not targeted for remote and less developed areas,' Nadiem said in the televised press conference. He added that the gadgets were intended to prevent 'learning loss' among students in areas with established digital infrastructure and internet connections during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to help educators in their teaching process. Nadiem picked famed lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea to represent him in the matter. The lawyer argued that allegations made by AGO investigators missed the mark. 'Nadiem never veered [from the study's results] because the study [and Nadiem's Chromebook procurement] were two different projects. They cannot be linked to each other,' Hotman said. The former education minister further claimed the programme was a success, with 97 per cent of the 1.1 million Chromebook laptops procured during his term delivered to 77,000 schools by 2023. He also claimed that his ministry undertook a 'periodic census' to count the laptops. Despite dismissing the allegations of involvement in the case, Nadiem said that he was 'ready to cooperate' and support investigators by providing needed information or clarification on the investigation. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Business Mayor
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Mayor
Watch out R5? Hyundai's new £23k EV is here – and we've driven it in the UK
Move inside and you might mistake the Inster for an SUV: its concave roof means there's plenty of head room for adults front and rear, while leg room in the back is practically limo-like. You can't escape how narrow the car is, however, so taller and broad-shouldered passengers might not find it all that roomy up front. The seat bases are shallow and the backrests lack a bit of lumbar support, but the fixed armrest offers some comfort and the cupholders that sit underneath are handy. Such generous passenger space limits the boot capacity to 280 litres, but you can slide the two rear seats forwards independently to increase the volume. You can even fold down the front pair to store longer items or lie down and take a nap. The 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system is easy enough to use but not as intuitive as the Google-based set-up in the 5. Furthermore, it can be a little sluggish to respond to inputs and its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality isn't wireless. The digital dash is graphically strong and customisable. And for all the touchscreen-dominated cars we test these days, it's refreshing to step down into a small EV and have a neat cluster of large, tactile physical buttons to prod and poke. You don't need to take your eyes off the road to adjust the fan speed or temperature and the row of buttons for the touchscreen are useful for function-hopping on the move. The plastic on the doors, dash and lower down by your feet may feel cheap, but there's a robustness to the cabin that suits the Inster's vibe and cloth-like material on various touchpoints adds a premium air. Read More LMI showing transportation market flip is coming - FreightWaves Ultimately the interior feels like its been thought about and created specifically for the inster, rather than simply being a scaled up or saled down version on of Ioniq EV's interior. READ SOURCE
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Top 6 best SUV lease deals going on in March
Right now, the average interest rate for a new car loan is around 6.40%. That's a substantial increase compared to 2022, when the average interest rate was around 4.61%. This is why, for many car shoppers, a lease might present something more financially palatable. As of March 2025, some very attractive SUV lease deals should appeal to diverse preferences and budgets. Below is an overview of nine standout and affordable offers available this month: The redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Equinox borrows its newly rugged style from the bigger Traverse SUV. It also does a spectacular job of combining refinement with versatility, making it a compelling choice for urban and suburban drivers alike. Power across the trim line comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower. Front-wheel drive models are mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article The Equinox provides a comfortable, quiet ride and a modern tech suite, which includes an 11.0-inch gauge display and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with a Google-based infotainment system. Standard features include heated front microfiber cloth seats, a heated steering wheel, and the Chevy Safety Assist suite contribute to its appeal. This lease deal is available for the entry-level FWD LT trim only. Monthly Payment: $299 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $3,449 Lease offer good through March 31, 2025 The 2025 Kia Seltos stands out as one of the best values in the subcompact SUV segment, offering a balance of style, functionality, and technology. The Seltos has a spacious interior, class-leading cargo space, and a user-friendly infotainment system that make it a practical choice for daily commuting and weekend adventures. The base engine is a 2.0-liter that makes 146 horsepower with decent acceleration for the class. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Standard features include 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, rear air vents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, as well as safety features like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode. This lease deal applies to the 2025 Seltos LX with All-Wheel Drive, a remarkably affordable lease that won't even come close to breaking the bank. The current lease offer includes: Monthly Payment: $239 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $3,499 Lease offer good through March 31, 2025 The 2025 Hyundai Kona is now in its second generation with a fresh redesign that gives the compact crossover a unique and futuristic looks. The new body is enhanced by rugged-looking touches that defy the economy car segment. The Kona continues to impress with its agile handling and practical interior that's about as good as it gets at this affordable price of entry. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 147-hp. The cabin is a wonderful combination of practical and handsome, with clean lines, an airy layout, and ample room for five. View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article The in-car tech consists of dual 12.3-inch displays embedded in one expansive frame that spans most of the dash. The instrument cluster is a reconfigurable gauge display, and the vivid touchscreen infotainment screen is a marvel at this price. Equipped with a host of standard safety features and a comfortable cabin, the Kona is well-suited for both city driving and longer journeys. The lease deal is for the Kona SEL trim, one notch up from the base SE. Current lease terms are: Monthly Payment: $239 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $3,999 Lease offer good through March 31, 2025 The Outback wagon/SUV has been a staple in the brand's lineup since 1995, and it's currently the brand's third best-selling model with almost 170,000 units sold last year. The Outback earns rave reviews for its comfort, space, ride quality, and rugged leanings. The refreshed and more off-road leaning styling comes directly from the Wilderness Edition. Even the base trim benefits from the change. View the 7 images of this gallery on the original article The base trim gets standard all-wheel drive, driver assist technology. LED steering responsive headlights, LED fog lights, twin 7-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and roof rails and cross bars. For those seeking a rugged yet refined SUV, the 2025 Subaru Outback offers a compelling option. Known for its standard all-wheel drive and ample cargo space, the Outback is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. The lease offer this month includes: Monthly Payment: $299 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $3,049 Lease offer good through March 31, 2025 Yes, another Kia on this list, and it's a charming crossover that's big on style, tech, and space. Newly refreshed for the 2025 model year, the Sportage 'sports' a new front fascia with a bolder grille. The Sportage's gas engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a conventional shift knob that's super-easy to operate, along with good physical controls and twin 8-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article Steering responsiveness is very good, and the ride comfort is top-notch for this segment. You'd be hard-pressed to find a roomier second row in this segment. The Kia Sportage has 41.3 inches of rear legroom, and there's 74.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded flat, almost as much as the huge Honda CR-V. The 2025 Kia Sportage offers a blend of modern design and practical features, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV market. With a spacious interior and advanced safety systems, the Sportage caters to both comfort and security. This lease offer applies to the LX FWD trim level. The current lease terms are: Monthly Payment: $259 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $3,999 Must take delivery by April 30, 2025 The 2025 Mazda CX-50 has been a big hit for the brand thanks to its fresh styling, great driving manners, and solid powertrain options. The CX-50 combines Mazda's signature driving dynamics with the practicality of an SUV. Even in base trim, the CX-50 is powered by a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that delivers decent acceleration and some of the best steering found in any vehicle for the price. In terms of styling, the CX-50 exhibits an air of ruggedness with its upright front fascia and chunky fender wells. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Inside, the CX-50 is truly refined with superb materials and an ergonomic layout. For 2025, all trim levels get the excellent 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Its upscale interior and responsive handling make it a joy to drive, while offering the versatility needed for various lifestyles. This month's lease offer applies to the 2025 CX-50 2.5S Select trim level and includes: Monthly Payment: $319 Lease Term: 36 months Due at Signing: $2,999 Offer ends March 31, 2025 March 2025 lease offers present a variety of attractive SUV deals, catering to a wide range of preferences and budgets. Every vehicle selected above presents affordability and high marks from reviewers. Leasing opens the door to nicer vehicles with a more manageable monthly payment, along with excellent warranty coverage throughout the lease period. The monthly payments for these lease deals are significantly lower than the average monthly car payment of over $700, which should make new car ownership more attractive.
