Indonesian Ex-Official Seeks 'Justice Collaborator' Status, Cites Pressure from 'Big Names' in Graft Case

Sony Sonjaya, former deputy head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), intends to expose the involvement of 'big names' in a corruption case related to the 2025-2026 Free Nutritious Meal program. Sonjaya's lawyer, Krisna Murti, announced that his client is seeking to become a Justice Collaborator (JC) to reveal the pressure he allegedly faced from influential individuals.

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He will say later in court that he was pressured, that the brains behind it were not him.

Murti stated that Sonjaya felt cornered and accused of mismanaging the program's kitchens, when in fact, he was under pressure from 'big names' whom he will identify in court. "He will say later in court that he was pressured, that the brains behind it were not him," Murti explained, adding that Sonjaya claims he was not the one orchestrating the alleged misuse of funds related to the program's kitchens.

The Attorney General's Office has already named former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana, along with Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, as suspects in the alleged corruption case. The investigation focuses on the management of the Free Nutritious Meal program, where foundations affiliated with BGN officials were allegedly appointed to manage the program, despite not meeting the required criteria. These foundations reportedly received billions of rupiah daily.

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Don't assume selling these kitchens was his doing. He will say later in court that he was pressured, that the brains behind it were not him.

Sonjaya's application to become a JC is scheduled to be submitted to the Attorney General's Office on Monday, June 8. Murti confirmed that this request has been documented in the investigation report (BAP).

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Later he will mention them, there are many, yes, many figures.