Bekasi Metro Police Chief Denies Involvement in Free Nutritious Meal Programme Corruption

Bekasi Metro Police Chief Commissioner Sumarni has denied allegations linking her to a corruption case concerning the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, which is currently under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. “I firmly state that I have no involvement whatsoever in the alleged irregularities of the MBG programme or activities within the National Nutrition Agency,” she said in Cikarang on Thursday. Her name had previously appeared in a viral social media post listing parties allegedly involved in the case, which included politicians, officials, and law enforcement personnel. Sumarni admitted she had only communicated with former National Nutrition Agency Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya regarding a request to establish a Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at the Buntet Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon. “I was asked by the person concerned to help set up an SPPG in the boarding school area in Cirebon. That was it, nothing else,” she stated. She explained that the communication with Sony Sonjaya was limited to discussing the proposed establishment of the kitchen service unit and never touched on project or financial matters. “It was just communication. Many parties and figures were promised SPPG, but in the end, it was never realised,” she said. Sumarni added that several parties who had been promised the programme had complained about the lack of clarity on its realisation, prompting her to contact Sony Sonjaya for an explanation. “I chatted and discussed with him, asking for permission, General, to help with the SPPG because many felt they were being given false hope. That’s all. There was no payment involved. I was not paid, I did not pay, and I gained no benefit whatsoever,” she asserted. Sumarni once again dismissed the issue alleging her involvement in the criminal act of corruption in the MBG management. “That is not true. I was not involved in corruption at the National Nutrition Agency. I only asked for help so that the Buntet Islamic Boarding School could establish an SPPG,” she said. The Attorney General’s Office is still investigating information from several parties regarding the alleged irregularities in the MBG programme management. Investigators are also tracing names mentioned in the examination report of former National Nutrition Agency Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya, who has now been named a suspect.