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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Corruption Suspect Seeks Protected Witness Status

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Sony Sanjaya, a suspect in the "Free Nutritious Meal" project corruption case, has applied to become a justice collaborator with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).
  • The Attorney General's Office previously rejected Sony's application, citing him as the main perpetrator and questioning his confession.
  • LPSK is currently reviewing Sony's request and will coordinate with the Attorney General's Office.

Sony Sanjaya, a suspect implicated in the alleged corruption surrounding the "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) project, has formally requested justice collaborator status from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK). The agency confirmed the application is under review.

Someone has submitted a justice collaborator application to LPSK, and it is still under review.

— AchmadiChairman of LPSK, confirming the application.

This move comes after the Attorney General's Office (AGO) previously denied Sony's bid for justice collaborator status. The AGO cited two primary reasons for the rejection: Sony was considered the main perpetrator in the alleged "trading of project locations" scheme, and investigators questioned the sincerity of his confession.

We are still investigating.

— AchmadiRegarding the coordination with the Attorney General's Office on Sony Sanjaya's application.

Sony's legal team stated the application was made due to concerns for his and his family's safety, particularly after he reportedly named 41 individuals allegedly involved in the case. The AGO, however, maintains that Sony does not meet the criteria for a justice collaborator, as he is deemed the principal offender and has not fully admitted to the alleged wrongdoing.

We cannot yet fulfill or reject the justice collaborator application in the name of Sony Sanjaya.

— Syarief Sulaiman NahdiDirector of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, on the previous rejection.

The AGO has already named six suspects in the case, including former officials from the National Food Agency (BGN) and individuals reportedly close to Sony. LPSK has indicated it will consult with the AGO as it deliberates on Sony's current application.

Because in this case, suspect SS applied for justice collaborator status regarding the alleged trading of locations, making him the main perpetrator.

— Syarief Sulaiman NahdiExplaining why Sony was considered the main perpetrator.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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