AHY Linked to MBG Corruption, Democrats Assert SBY's Son Does Not Know Sony Sonjaya: Confirmed Slander

Jakarta – The Democratic Party has spoken out regarding rumours circulating on social media that party chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is involved in a corruption case related to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The denial emerged after a list containing the phrase “2 colonels proposed by AHY” was circulated and linked to the testimony of former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, who is currently a suspect. Head of the Democratic Party’s Strategic Communications Agency, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, asserted there is no connection whatsoever between AHY and Sony Sonjaya. “The General Chairman of the Democratic Party, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), does not know Mr Sony Sonjaya. AHY has never met or communicated with Mr Sony Sonjaya,” Herzaky said in a written statement. According to Herzaky, AHY was never involved in proposing or providing recommendations related to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) programme or any other matters relating to Sony Sonjaya. “AHY has never proposed, recommended, requested assistance, or asked for support from Mr Sony Sonjaya regarding the SPPG programme or other matters, either directly or indirectly,” he stated. The Democrats assess that the circulating information does not explain in detail who the figure referred to by the abbreviation AHY is, nor the identity of the “2 colonels” listed in the post. Therefore, Herzaky stressed there is no basis that can be used to link the phrase to AHY. He called the accusation false information if it was indeed aimed at the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. “Therefore, the phrase ‘2 Colonels proposed by AHY’, if what is meant concerns Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, can be confirmed as slander and contains absolutely no truth,” he asserted. In his statement, Herzaky also affirmed the Democrats’ commitment to press freedom. However, he requested that any information mentioning the name of a person or institution be presented based on verified facts. “The Democratic Party respects press freedom and supports professional journalistic work. However, we hope that any information mentioning the names of individuals or institutions is conveyed accurately, fairly, and based on verified facts,” he said.