Thekabarnews.com – The Indonesian Attorney General’s Office is ramping up its investigation into corruption allegations in the government’s flagship Free Meals Program (MBG). Huge financial incentives are flowing to former senior officials of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) from organizations running nutrition service units across the country, prosecutors said.

Investigators have named former BGN head Dadan Hindayana and former BGN deputy heads Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung as suspects in the case. Authorities say foundations that own Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) have been channeling up to Rp1 billion a day to parties associated with the suspects.

Investigators say some of the foundations involved had close links to the former officials. In fact, some are run by family members or close associates.

Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigations at the Attorney General’s Office Special Crimes Directorate, said the suspects interfered with the partner verification process on the BGN’s official online portal.

Prosecutors said that intervention led to the approval of some organizations as SPPG operators. These operators did not meet the official requirements.

“Some entities are not eligible to be SPPG partners, but they are approved by manipulating the verification process in the partner portal BGN,” Syarief said at the Attorney General’s Office headquarters in Jakarta.

Investigators say the foundations received substantial financial incentives for participating in the nutrition program. The authorities believe the arrangements benefited those under investigation personally.

The MBG program is among the largest social welfare programs undertaken by the Indonesian government. Therefore, the case brings the program into the national spotlight.

The government allocated Rp85.27 trillion for the program in 2025. Nutrition & Education In 2026, the state budget was around Rp268 trillion. This reflects the administration’s focus on improving nutrition, public health, and education outcomes across the country.

The investigators are also probing allegations of procurement fraud at the BGN not related to the selection of partners.

Officials allegedly overcharged on various goods and services purchased through the program. The probes reported also include electric motorcycles, footwear, tablets, and televisions.

Prosecutors say the markups could have cost the state a lot of money. However, investigators have not put an official number on it yet.

The case drew widespread public attention after Sony Sonjaya warned the public about individuals who claimed connections to BGN officials to secure MBG project locations.

Investigators have identified Sonjaya as a key suspect in the expanding corruption probe. The investigators are still collecting evidence. Authorities took Dadan Hindayana, Sony Sonjaya, and Lodewyk Pusung into custody.

The prosecutors charged the suspects under Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws and criminal codes for abuse of authority and public office.

The investigation has wider implications for the governance, oversight, and accountability of the big government programs. These programs deal with big amounts of public money.

The government has launched the MBG Program to enhance nutrition and support underprivileged communities throughout Indonesia. But the allegations have revived a push for better surveillance systems to ensure public funds go to the right people.

Investigators continue reviewing financial records, procurement contracts, and partnership agreements, drawing intense public attention to the case.

The verdict may well be a real test of Indonesia’s commitment to transparency. It will also test the enforcement of anti-corruption measures, especially in the high-priority national development programs.

Stay connected via Google News