Former Gojek CPO Seeks Millions in Legal Claim Against Goto Group

TLDRs;

• Goto Group is facing a $2.6 million lawsuit from former Gojek CPO Bruce Haldane.
• The claim represents only 0.24% of Goto Group’s cash and does not strain liquidity.
• The dispute focuses on contract termination terms rather than company wrongdoing.
• Rising termination disputes in Indonesia highlight the need for HR compliance and legal solutions.

Goto Group, one of Indonesia’s leading tech companies, is now dealing with a legal challenge from former Gojek Chief Product Officer Bruce McRae Haldane.

Haldane, who served as CPO from 2020 to 2023, filed a lawsuit at the South Jakarta District Court seeking Rp 43.2 billion, or roughly US$2.59 million, in damages. The case was registered as No. 1289/Pdt.G/2025/PN.Jkt.sel on November 24, 2025.

The dispute stems from differing interpretations of the terms surrounding Haldane’s termination. Goto Group has emphasized that this is an individual industrial relations matter and does not materially affect its broader operations. “We will follow the appropriate legal procedures and appoint legal counsel to handle this case,” a company spokesperson said.

Financial Impact Is Minimal

Although the claim appears significant, it represents just 0.24% of Goto Group’s cash, cash equivalents, and short-term deposits, which totaled approximately Rp 18 trillion as of September 30, 2025. Analysts note that such a claim has limited impact on liquidity or ongoing business operations.

The company recently reported its first adjusted pre-tax profit of Rp 62 billion for Q3 2025 and raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to between Rp 1.8 and 1.9 trillion. Experts agree that a single employment dispute is unlikely to disrupt Goto Group’s financial performance or operational momentum.

Unlike cases involving misconduct, this lawsuit revolves around how Haldane’s termination terms were interpreted. This places the matter in the typical executive separation category, which generally does not indicate deeper organizational or operational problems.

Termination Disputes on the Rise in Indonesia

Haldane’s lawsuit reflects a broader trend in Indonesia, where termination and severance disputes are increasingly common.

Between January and May 2025, industrial relations authorities recorded 838 layoff-related disputes, with approximately 70% involving contested severance calculations or procedural issues. Manufacturing sectors also experienced 45,762 layoffs from January to August 2024.

A recent clarification by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has added complexity for tech firms, as some executive terminations now require court approval to be legally binding. This has increased the risk of legal challenges for companies like Goto Group.

HR and Legaltech Solutions Gain Importance

With disputes on the rise, companies are looking to human resources compliance vendors and legal technology providers for support. Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) and termination management software are becoming key tools for reducing litigation risk.

Experts recommend aligning compliance efforts with government-laid monthly layoff statistics to proactively prevent disputes.

While Goto Group’s lawsuit is unlikely to impact its operational trajectory, it serves as a reminder that evolving legal frameworks around executive terminations require careful attention from Indonesia’s tech companies.

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