Chair of Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation Named Suspect in MBG Corruption Case

Indonesian prosecutors have identified Glory Harimas Sihombing, the Chair of the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation, as a new suspect in a corruption investigation. The case centers on the alleged mismanagement of the "Makan Bergizi Gratis" (MBG) program, a free nutritious meal initiative for the period 2025-2026.

Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, stated that Sihombing, acting as a private party, was allegedly instructed by former official Dadan Hindayana to find foundation partners for the program's nutrition fulfillment units. "GHS provided a number of currencies, both foreign and rupiah, to Mr. DH," Nahdi revealed during a press conference on Thursday.

Sihombing has been detained for 20 days at the Attorney General's Office detention center. This development brings the total number of suspects to six. Previously named suspects include former officials Dadan Hindayana, Sony Sonjaya, Lodewyk Pusung, Sony's associate Asep Yusuf Somantri, and Andri Mulyono, Commissioner of PT. Yasa Artha Trimanunggal. The investigation also points to alleged price markups in procurement, including for electric motorcycles, shoes, tablets, and televisions, and the appointment of unqualified foundations as partners, causing financial losses.

The MBG program was intended to be managed by foundations affiliated with recipient schools. However, the investigation revealed that many appointed foundations had ties to high-ranking officials within the National Food Agency (BGN), and many lacked the necessary qualifications to serve as partners.