AGO Extends Detention of Dadan and Others for 40 Days

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has extended the detention period for former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana and his two former deputies, Lodewijk Pusung and Sony Sonjaya, by 40 days. The three suspects were initially detained for 20 days starting 3 June, with their detention set to expire on 23 June. “The extension has been made by investigators,” said AGO Head of Legal Information Anang Supriatna on Thursday (25/6). Anang explained that the extension was necessary because investigators from the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes still require time to collect evidence to complete the case files. “The 40-day extension was requested by investigators from the public prosecutor,” he stated. The AGO previously named six suspects in the corruption case concerning the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme for the 2025-2026 period. The suspects are former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana, former BGN Deputy Heads Sony Sonjaya and Lodewijk Pusung, Sony’s associate Asep Yusuf Somantri, PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal Commissioner Andri Mulyono, and Indonesian Food Security Review Foundation Chair Glory Harimas Sihombing. The AGO explained that the MBG programme should have been managed by the Nutrition Service and Fulfilment Unit (SPPG) foundation affiliated with recipient schools. However, many appointed SPPGs were linked to BGN officials, and several foundations did not meet the requirements to become SPPG partners. Furthermore, there was a mark-up in procurement prices, causing losses that did not support the MBG programme’s operations. This included 21,801 electric motorcycles worth IDR 1.03 trillion, 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablets, and 5,400 75-inch televisions.