Former Nutrition Official Writes to Judge, Seeks to Attend Pretrial Hearing

Lodewyk Pusung, the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, has penned a letter to the sole judge presiding over his pretrial hearing at the South Jakarta District Court. Pusung, currently detained, is seeking authorization to attend the hearing in person, where he is challenging his designation as a suspect in a corruption case related to the "Nutritious Free Meal" (MBG) project.

Pusung's lawyer, Otto Cornelis Kaligis, presented the handwritten correspondence to reporters, emphasizing that his client felt compelled to speak out because he believes he has been falsely accused. "This is his own handwriting from prison. Why does he want to appear himself? Because he feels slandered," Kaligis stated at the court.

The two-page letter, dated July 2026, is addressed to Judge Abdul Affandi. In it, Pusung details his request to be present at the hearing for case number 105/PID.PRA/PN.JKT.SEL. He asserts that he was not involved in the procurement of goods and services as alleged, calling the accusations "slander" and swearing to their falsehood. He also denies any involvement in or approval of the alleged sale of locations for the project's kitchens.

Pusung further claims that he executed the MBG program in accordance with procedures and legal provisions, acting under the mandate given to him by President Prabowo Subianto. He implores Judge Affandi to allow his attendance so he can present his "true position" and requests that the Attorney General's Office investigators bring him to the pretrial hearing.

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This is his own handwriting from prison. Why does he want to appear himself? Because he feels slandered.