Lawyer reveals alleged foundation changes in MBG program corruption investigation
JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—Fresh allegations have emerged in Indonesia’s ongoing corruption probe involving the Free Meals (MBG) program. The development follows after defense lawyer Krisna Murti, who...
JAKARTA, Thekabarnews.com—Fresh allegations have emerged in Indonesia’s ongoing corruption probe involving the Free Meals (MBG) program. The development follows after defense lawyer Krisna Murti, who represents suspect Sony Sonjaya, disclosed details from his client’s interrogation record. These details concern the alleged role of Nanik S. Deyang.
Speaking at the headquarters of the Attorney General’s Office on Thursday, June 18, Krisna said the official interrogation report of Sony stated that Nanik allegedly changed the names of foundations. These foundations oversaw several Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) under her control.
Krisna said Sony told investigators that Nanik had changed the names of the same foundations three times. Specifically, this act was done on three different occasions.
Sony detailed in his interrogation report how Nanik S. Deyang repeatedly changed the names of the foundations. “Nanik changed the foundation’s name several times,” Krisna said, as quoted by Suara.com.
The lawyer further claimed that the foundations in question ran SPPG outlets allegedly owned or controlled by Nanik. Furthermore, as Sony testified, the affected SPPG sites are located in several regions. These include Madiun in East Java, Tapos in Bogor, West Java, and Karangasem, Bali.
Krisna also alleged that the name changes of the foundations were not in accordance with standard administrative procedures. Instead, the existing procedures should be revised. Applicants must submit formal written requests to change the legal entity responsible for an SPPG location.
However, his lawyer quoted Sony’s statement saying Nanik had allegedly given him verbal orders to replace the foundation names. The change was done without submitting any official documents.
According to Krisna, Sony’s statement said, “Nanik should have sent a letter formally requesting the changes to the foundation, but she just asked him to change them.”
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is conducting a broader corruption investigation into the management of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), and these allegations emerged as part of that probe. Additionally, investigators are examining the implementation of the government’s flagship Free Meals program.
Prosecutors earlier named as suspects in the case ex-BGN head Dadan Hindayana, ex-deputy heads Lodewyk Pusung, Sony Sonjaya, PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal president commissioner Andrew Mulyono (AM), and Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS). Investigators have said AYS is a close associate of Sony.
Several BGN executives allegedly named foundations linked to them as SPPG partners, investigators said. Prosecutors allege that the foundations received operational incentives worth billions of rupiah each day.
Investigators also have found alleged irregularities in the agency’s procurement processes. Under review are projects like the purchase of 21,801 electric motorcycles worth around Rp1 trillion, 32,000 pairs of shoes, tens of thousands of tablet computers, and 5,400 units of 75-inch televisions.
The Attorney General’s Office is still examining whether procurement decisions complied with the relevant rules. They are also investigating whether there was any unlawful interference in the contracting process.
Prosecutors have charged the suspects under Articles 603 and 604 of Indonesia’s New Criminal Code. In addition, prosecutors brought charges under Article 20 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption.
The investigation is continuing, and authorities have not said when the case will go to trial. Indonesian law presumes every suspect innocent until a court issues a final and legally binding conviction.
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