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

Bekasi Metro Police Chief Commissioner Sumarni has denied accusations of involvement in alleged corruption related to the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme currently under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. “I assert that I have no involvement whatsoever in the alleged irregularities of the MBG programme or activities within the National Nutrition Agency,” Sumarni stated in Cikarang on Thursday (11/6), as quoted by Antara. Her name had previously surfaced in a viral social media post listing parties allegedly implicated in the case, which included politicians, officials, and law enforcement personnel. Sumarni acknowledged she had only communicated with former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Sony Sonjaya, regarding a request to establish a Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at the Buntet Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon. “I was once asked by the individual concerned to help establish an SPPG at a boarding school in the Cirebon area. That was all, nothing else,” she said. She maintained that the communication was strictly limited to the proposal for setting up the SPPG kitchen unit and never touched on project or financial matters. “It was just communication. Many parties and figures were promised an SPPG. But in the end, it was never realised,” she explained. Sumarni added that several parties who had been promised the programme had complained about the lack of clarity, prompting her to contact Sony Sonjaya for an explanation. “I chatted and discussed with him, asking for permission, General, please help with the SPPG because many felt they were being given false hopes. That was it. There were no payments involved. I was not paid, I did not pay, and I gained no benefit whatsoever,” she said. Sumarni again dismissed the issue alleging her involvement in the MBG management corruption case. “That is not true. I was not involved in corruption at BGN. I only previously asked for help so that the Buntet Islamic Boarding School could establish an SPPG,” she stated. The Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating the statements of several parties regarding the alleged irregularities in the MBG programme. Investigators are also tracing names mentioned in the examination report of former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency Sony Sonjaya, who has now been named a suspect.