East Java DPRD Speaker Denies Involvement in Alleged Free Nutritious Meal Programme Corruption
The Speaker of the East Java Provincial DPRD, Musyacal Rouf, has denied that his name is involved in the alleged corruption surrounding the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.
Recently, Musyafak’s name has been frequently mentioned in various social media posts, appearing on a list of more than 20 names allegedly reported by the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, to investigators at the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung).
Sony is known to have officially applied to become a Justice Collaborator (JC) in the case on Monday (8/6). The suspect is said to have submitted approximately 20 names of parties allegedly involved in the MBG corruption scandal, although the specific details have not yet been officially released to the public.
Responding to the circulating rumours, Musyafak challenged anyone linking his name to the case to prove the allegations, including claims regarding the ownership of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). “There is none, just look for it. If even one [person] is found to possess an SPPG, I will give a prize,” Musyafak told reporters in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday (11/6).
The PKB politician emphasised that the circulating information is unsubstantiated. He confirmed that he has no business interests or any involvement related to the management of the MBG kitchens. “It is hoax. I do not have any [MBG kitchen] at all,” said Musyafak. “I would be incredibly wealthy if I owned an [MBG/SPPG kitchen]. If anyone can prove it, I will provide a reward,” he added.
Furthermore, Musyafak asserted that the East Java DPRD, as an institution, has no connection to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). He noted that all policies and regulations regarding the MBG programme fall entirely under the authority of the central government. “Regarding the MBG issue, I know nothing, so I do not wish to comment. The management and mechanisms are the authority of the central government. We were never involved and were never consulted regarding the MBG,” he said.
The former Deputy Head of BGN, Sony Sonjaya, who has been named a suspect by the Attorney General’s Office, is said to have submitted 26 names allegedly involved in the alleged corruption of the MBG programme management. Sony’s lawyer, Krisna Murti, stated that dozens of prominent names have been recorded in the Examination Report (BAP) by investigators from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes.
“We have informed the investigators; it is already in the BAP,” he told journalists on Wednesday (10/6). However, Krisna did not disclose further details regarding the specific individuals allegedly involved in the MBG corruption case. He only stated that those involved come from various institutions across the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Krisna also mentioned that the number of names provided by Sony to investigators is only a partial list, and it is possible the list will grow during further investigations. “It includes the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. (The most are) legislative. (The total number of names) is 26, and it is likely to increase; that is only a portion,” he said.