Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Denies Involvement in Free Nutritious Meal Programme Corruption

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya has denied any involvement in the alleged corruption of the free nutritious meal programme (MBG). Bima’s name had previously circulated in a list of more than 20 names on social media, where he was claimed to have been involved in the MBG corruption case through Sony Sonjaya. Bima explained that Presidential Decree No. 28 of 2025 concerning the Coordination Team for the Implementation of the MBG Programme stipulates several tasks for the Ministry of Home Affairs. One of these is to facilitate the resolution of obstacles and barriers in the implementation of MBG together with regional governments and the BGN. He admitted to coordinating with BGN leadership and regional heads to resolve problems on the ground. “Including problems in remote areas which are also the task of the home affairs ministry. There are also reports from colleagues at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the implementation of MBG in the regions that need to be followed up,” Bima said when contacted on Wednesday (10/6). Bima stated that previous coordination with BGN leadership was not related to personal interests, let alone owning an MBG kitchen. “There are no personal interests, let alone owning a kitchen. I only met and coordinated with BGN leaders at official coordination meetings,” he said. Previously, former Deputy Head of BGN Sony Sonjaya had applied to be a justice collaborator in the alleged corruption case concerning the governance of the MBG programme. Sony’s legal counsel, Krisna Murti, said the JC application was made to help investigators uncover other parties suspected of being involved in the case. According to him, during the examinations he has undergone, Sony has mentioned 26 names allegedly connected to the case, hailing from the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. In this case, the Attorney General’s Office has named former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana, Sony Sonjaya, and Lodewyk Pusung as suspects. Investigators suspect irregularities occurred in the governance of the MBG programme, including the appointment of SPPG partners who did not meet the requirements and price mark-ups in a number of procurement items.