Former Deputy Head of National Nutrition Agency Seeks Revocation of Suspect Status in MBG Corruption Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Lodewyk Pusung has requested that his suspect status be revoked in a corruption case related to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. His legal counsel, Otto Cornelis Kaligis, argued during a pretrial hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday that his client was not involved in the procurement of goods and services for the programme and had no authority to determine the locations of nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG).

Kaligis stated that the investigators lacked strong evidence and a valid legal basis for naming his client a suspect. He also challenged the arrest, search, detention, and asset seizure carried out by the respondent, asserting that these actions were arbitrary and not in accordance with legal procedures. ‘We hope the Panel of Judges will declare invalid all decisions or determinations issued by the Respondent related to the naming of the Applicant as a suspect,’ he said.

Lodewyk is one of several suspects in the alleged corruption case concerning the MBG programme for the 2025–2026 period. He is accused, along with other suspects, of marking up the prices of goods procured for the programme, including electric motorcycles. The total value of the procurement for the electric motorcycles alone is said to have reached Rp1.035 trillion. The suspects allegedly appointed PT YAT as the vendor despite the company not meeting the required qualifications, such as lacking an official dealership or active workshop. This mark-up is believed to have caused significant state financial losses. Lodewyk has been charged under Article 603 in conjunction with Article 20 letter a or b of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001.