Elza Syarief Withdraws as Sony Sonjaya's Lawyer, Citing Dishonesty in Free Nutritious Meal Corruption Case

Lawyer Elza Syarief has stated that former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sony Sonjaya was dishonest regarding the corruption case in the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. As a result, she has resigned from Sony’s legal team. The resignation took effect on Monday (15/6). The latest development, on Friday (11/6), saw the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) name a suspect from the private sector, Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS), a close associate of former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya, who is suspected of involvement in determining the locations of MBG meal distribution points (SPPG) in various regions.

Previously, Elza had stated she would assist Sony on a pro bono basis because she believed he was clean. However, after receiving information from the Attorney General’s Office revealing that Sony allegedly received money from Asep, she decided to withdraw. “He was not honest. The one providing the news was the Attorney General’s Office itself, and I also received information now, after I resigned, that the Attorney General’s Office may not necessarily grant JC to SS after seeing the facts from Asep,” she said.

The Director of Investigation at the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, stated there are two clusters related to this case. The first concerns the buying and selling of SPPG points, and the second relates to the mark-up of goods or services procurement.

The Attorney General’s Office is still reviewing the justice collaborator (JC) application submitted by former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya in the corruption case concerning the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal programme for 2025-2026. The Kejagung stated there are three considerations in determining the JC application. “There are three points. First, we look at the existing evidence. Is his testimony still needed? Second, to what extent can he, in a JC position, be maximally effective? This still requires time; we will decide shortly,” said Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah at the Kejagung office in South Jakarta on Monday (15/6/2026).

Febrie admitted he does not yet know the exact number of names mentioned by Sony. He said the names mentioned by Sony are certainly linked to the five suspects already named in this case. “The exact number of names, I don’t know yet. But surely there will be connections to these suspects. It will be seen from the SPPG; clearly, the actions involved the buying and selling of points and goods procurement. The procurement of goods is extensive. Not to mention the distribution of points, which certainly involves several people,” he explained. Febrie said investigators are currently focusing intensively on the five detained suspects so they can be brought to trial promptly. He wants the BGN to operate according to its original plan in implementing the MBG programme.

The Kejagung has named five individuals as suspects in the alleged corruption case concerning MBG governance. The Kejagung is open to applying money laundering (TPPU) charges. “If there is evidence, certainly,” said Febrie Adriansyah when asked about the possibility of applying TPPU articles. Febrie said his team continues to gather evidence related to this case and does not rule out further case development. “Certainly, if there is evidence, we will pursue it,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Head of the Kejagung Legal Information Centre Anang Supriatna said the application of TPPU articles is not solely to recover state losses. He said the Kejagung will investigate this case thoroughly. “We will certainly pursue parties deemed involved. Not only to criminalise the individuals, but also to recover state losses, with one of the instruments being TPPU against related parties and recipients,” said Anang Supriatna.

Previously, the Kejagung had named five individuals as suspects in the alleged MBG governance corruption case. The suspects consist of former senior officials of the National Nutrition Agency and a boss of a BGN electric motor supplier. The list of suspects is as follows: 1. Former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana; 2. Former Deputy Head of BGN Sony Sonjaya; 3. Former Deputy Head of BGN Lodewyk Pusung; 4. Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS), a close associate of Sony; 5. Andri Mulyono (AM), Commissioner of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal (PT YAT).