East Java DPRD Speaker Denies Involvement in Alleged Free Nutritious Meal Programme Corruption

The Speaker of the East Java Provincial House of Representatives (DPRD), Musyafak Rouf, has denied that his name is embroiled in an alleged corruption case concerning the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. His name has recently been widely mentioned across social media posts, included in a list of more than 20 names allegedly reported by former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, to investigators at the Attorney General’s Office. 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 over 20 names of parties allegedly involved in the MBG corruption tangle, although the 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 accusation, including the alleged ownership of a Nutritional Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG). ‘Where is it? Just look for it. If there is even one [I own], I will give you a reward,’ Musyafak asserted to the press in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday (11/6). The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician stressed that the circulating information could not be verified. He confirmed he has no business or dealings whatsoever related to the management of MBG kitchens. ‘That is a hoax. I do not own an MBG kitchen at all,’ said Musyafak. ‘I would be a very rich man if I owned [an MBG kitchen/SPPG]. If anyone [can prove it], I will give them a reward,’ he boasted. Furthermore, Musyafak asserted that institutionally, the East Java DPRD has no connection or involvement with the BGN. He stated that all policies and regulations concerning the MBG programme are entirely the authority of the central government. ‘Regarding the MBG issue, we really do not know anything about it, so I do not wish to comment. It is the central government’s authority, whatever the governance and mechanism are. We have never been involved nor invited to discuss matters relating to the MBG,’ he said. Former BGN Deputy Head 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 suspected corruption case over the MBG programme’s governance. Sony’s lawyer, Krisna Murti, stated that dozens of these prominent names have been recorded in the official examination report (BAP) by investigators from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes. ‘We have conveyed it to the investigators; it is already in the BAP,’ he told reporters on Wednesday (10/6). However, Krisna has not yet elaborated further on the identities of those suspected of involvement in the MBG corruption case. He only stated that those involved come from various institutions at the executive, judicial, and legislative levels. Krisna also mentioned that the number of names Sony disclosed to investigators is only a partial list. He said it remains possible the list of names will grow in subsequent examinations. ‘Essentially from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. [The largest number is from] the legislature. [The total number of names] is 26, with the possibility of increasing; for now, it is only a partial list,’ he stated.