Indonesian Prosecutors Investigate Alleged Sale of Permits for Free Meal Program

Indonesia's Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) is actively investigating allegations of a "buy-sell" scheme involving permits for the Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) under the government's Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). The probe focuses on potential corruption in the management of this program.

Director of Investigation for Special Crimes Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi indicated that former leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) are suspected of playing a role in issuing these permits. Investigators have found that some entities, despite being unqualified, were still accepted as partners for the MBG program, suggesting internal involvement.

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There are foundations that are actually not eligible to receive or be partners of BGN. But why did they become partners? It means there was a role from each of these suspects.

"There are foundations that are actually not eligible to receive or be partners of BGN. But why did they become partners? It means there was a role from each of these suspects," Nahdi stated during a press conference on Thursday. The investigation is examining the extent of the suspects' authority and how it was used to facilitate these alleged corrupt practices.

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Including the buy-sell, meaning selling by giving recommendations or permits by receiving something, like that. That is also the main object that we are investigating.

Kejagung has named former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana, and former Deputy Heads Sony Sanjaya and Lodewyk Pusung as suspects in the corruption case related to the MBG program's governance. Nahdi explained that the MBG program was intended to be managed by foundations affiliated with the recipient schools. However, many SPPGs were appointed due to their affiliations with BGN officials.

Nahdi further revealed that these foundations, some allegedly owned by the suspects, received billions of rupiah in incentives daily. The investigation is specifically targeting the alleged sale of SPPG permits, which involves the issuance of recommendations or permits in exchange for illicit gains. This aspect is considered a primary focus of the ongoing inquiry.

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These foundations receive billions of rupiah in incentives every day and these foundations are affiliated, among others, owned by Mr. DH, Mr. SS, and Mr. LP.