Free Nutritious Meal Corruption Case Involves Brig. Gen. Lalu and Col. Budi

Indonesian authorities are expanding their investigation into alleged corruption within the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, now implicating two active military officials. Brig. Gen. Lalu Muhammad Iwan Mahardan has been named the seventh suspect in the case, while Col. Budi Utomo is still undergoing further investigation.

Brig. Gen. Mahardan, who holds a position as Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) until March 2025, is accused of instructing witnesses to establish companies. These companies were allegedly used to sell food containers, known as "ompreng," to potential partners at predetermined prices. According to Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation at the Attorney General's Office for Special Crimes, a portion of these prices constituted a "fee" for Mahardan, ensuring the approval of partners.

Mahardan has been detained for 20 days at the South Jakarta District Attorney's Office detention center. He faces charges under Article 12 letters A, B, and E of the Corruption Eradication Law, in conjunction with the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, Col. Budi Utomo, identified as the Commitment-Making Official (PPK) for the procurement of goods and services, is being investigated for his alleged involvement in the procurement of electric motorcycles. This project reportedly had a budget of over 1.035 trillion Indonesian rupiah (approximately $69 million USD). The investigation suggests Utomo collaborated with Lodewyk Pusung, former Deputy Head of BGN, and Andri Mulyono, Commissioner of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal, in this procurement.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) has acknowledged the involvement of Col. Utomo, with Head of the TNI Information Center, Brig. Gen. Muhammad Nas, stating that the military will cooperate with the investigation.