Indonesia: Ex-Nutrition Agency Official Seeks Plea Deal, Names 20 Figures in Graft Probe

Former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) deputy head Sony Sonjaya has officially applied for Justice Collaborator status in the ongoing corruption investigation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. During questioning by the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung), Sonjaya reportedly disclosed the names of more than 20 influential individuals connected to the case.

Sonjaya's lawyer, Krisna Murti, indicated that the names revealed so far represent only half of those involved. "More than 20 names were mentioned. However, our client said that's only part of it," Murti told reporters at the Attorney General's Office on Monday.

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More than 20 names were mentioned. However, our client said that's only part of it.

Murti emphasized that the Justice Collaborator application is not an attempt to evade legal responsibility. Instead, he stated, his client intends to cooperate fully and expose all parties implicated in the program, which was a presidential priority. "We want to reveal and cooperate in uncovering who is involved in this presidential flagship program," he said.

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Not to avoid legal problems, but we want to reveal and cooperate in uncovering who is involved in this presidential flagship program.

Beyond the Attorney General's Office, Sonjaya has also submitted a request for Justice Collaborator status to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). His legal team hopes this application will be considered by investigators, facilitating a more thorough uncovering of the MBG corruption case. "With Justice Collaborator status, we can make it easier for investigators to develop leads on related parties," Murti explained.

Previously, the Attorney General's Office named former BGN head Dadan Hindayana, along with former deputy heads Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, as suspects in the MBG program's corruption. The investigation revealed that the MBG program, intended to be managed by foundations affiliated with recipient schools, instead saw many contracts awarded to entities with ties to BGN senior officials, despite lacking the necessary qualifications. Furthermore, the suspects allegedly inflated prices during procurement, leading to financial losses that did not support the program's operations. Specific overvalued procurements included 21,801 electric motorcycles (Rp1.03 trillion), 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablets, and 5,400 75-inch televisions.

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With Justice Collaborator status, we can make it easier for investigators to develop leads on related parties.