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Update on MBG Case: Sony Sonjaya's Confidant Becomes Suspect
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Update on MBG Case: Sony Sonjaya's Confidant Becomes Suspect

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Indonesian authorities have named Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS) a new suspect in a corruption case involving the "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) program.
  • AYS is accused of being a trusted associate of former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Vice Chief Sony Sonjaya, who is also a suspect.
  • AYS allegedly facilitated the manipulation of partner selection and inflated procurement prices, causing losses and receiving bribes.

Indonesian authorities have identified Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS) as a new suspect in the ongoing corruption investigation into the "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) program. Somantri is alleged to be a close confidant of Sony Sonjaya, the former Vice Chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), who has also been named a suspect in the case.

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the investigation team named one suspect, AYS, a private party.

— Syarief Sulaeman NahdiDirector of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, announcing the new suspect.

According to Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, Somantri was tasked by Sonjaya to find partners for the MBG program. However, Somantri allegedly used his influence to interfere with the vetting process for MBG partners. This interference reportedly allowed him to identify and manipulate the selection of "empty kitchen points" and ensure that approved applicants were canceled, while also facilitating the establishment of new service points that should have been closed.

Furthermore, Somantri is accused of illegally providing bribes to Sonjaya after arranging these service points. For his alleged involvement, Somantri faces charges under Article 12 letters a and b of the Corruption Eradication Law and Articles 605 paragraph 2 and 606 of the Criminal Code.

So that he could know the empty kitchen points and arrange them in such a way that potential SPPGs who registered on the approved partner portal would then have their registration status canceled.

— Syarief Sulaeman NahdiExplaining Asep Yusuf Somantri's alleged interference in the partner selection process.

This development follows the earlier designation of three other suspects: former BGN Chief Dadan Hindayana, and former Vice Chiefs Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung. The Attorney General's Office stated that the MBG program was intended to be managed by foundations affiliated with recipient schools. However, many appointed service providers allegedly had ties to BGN officials and did not meet the required qualifications. The investigation also revealed that the three previously named suspects allegedly inflated procurement prices for items such as electric motorcycles, shoes, tablets, and televisions, resulting in significant financial losses.

After arranging the SPPG points, Mr. AYS illegally gave a sum of money to suspect SS.

— Syarief Sulaeman NahdiDetailing the alleged bribery between Asep Yusuf Somantri and Sony Sonjaya.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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