Indonesia to pursue money laundering charges in nutrition program corruption case

Indonesia's Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) announced it will pursue money laundering charges in the corruption case surrounding the Free Nutrition Program (MBG). This move aims to recover assets obtained through illicit means, according to Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah.

"We will definitely apply TPPU (money laundering charges) if we have the evidence, we will pursue it," Adriansyah told reporters. He emphasized that the prosecution is not solely about punishing individuals and recovering financial losses. It also seeks to ensure the MBG program fulfills its initial objective, set by President Prabowo Subianto, of providing nutritious meals to children to aid their learning.

"We want the MBG to run according to the initial plan. The initial plan was for children, our children, so they are nourished, they are well, when they go to school their stomachs are full, so they receive learning well," Adriansyah explained. He urged those involved to ensure the program's success, highlighting its importance for the nation's children.

Head of the Legal Information Center at Kejagung, Anang Supriatna, stated that the application of money laundering charges is expected to help restore state financial losses. "Not only prosecuting the people, but how we also restore state losses, one of which is through the TPPU instrument against those involved and those who received (the illicit gains)," he said. Kejagung has named five suspects in the case, including former officials of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and a commissioner of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal. The corruption involved price markups on goods such as electric motorcycles, shoes, tablets, and televisions.