Indonesia names new suspect in free meal program corruption case

The Indonesian Attorney General's Office has identified a new suspect in the ongoing corruption investigation into the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. Glory Harimas Sihombing, identified as the head of the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation, is the sixth person to be named in the case.

According to the Director of Investigation for Special Crimes, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Sihombing allegedly acted as a private intermediary. She was reportedly asked by the former head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, to find partners for the MBG program. Hindayana is also a suspect in the case.

Syarief explained that Sihombing was given access to information about the locations of nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs). These units were responsible for producing and distributing the MBG to students. Although the establishment of SPPGs was supposed to be verified by BGN and originate from foundations within the recipient schools, Sihombing's foundation allegedly sold these SPPG locations to interested parties.

Furthermore, Sihombing is accused of illegally providing cash and foreign currency to Hindayana. These payments were reportedly sourced from MBG partners who sought Sihombing's assistance to become partners in the program. The investigation continues to uncover the extent of the alleged corruption and the involvement of other parties.