Justice Collaborator Status Denied, Sony Sonjaya's Legal Team Speaks Out

The lawyer for former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sonjaya, Krisna Murti, has spoken out regarding the Attorney General’s Office’s (Kejagung) rejection of a justice collaborator (JC) application in the corruption case concerning the management of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

Krisna said he regretted the prosecutor’s decision to reject his client’s application. He argued that Sony had shown good faith in wanting to reveal the major figures involved in the trading of positions for the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

“It is deeply regrettable at a time when Sony wants to reveal all parties suspected of having a major role in this MBG corruption,” he told reporters on Wednesday (24/6).

He also admitted to being confused by the basis of the prosecutor’s assessment that led to the rejection of the JC status. He believes the evidence provided by his client was sufficiently valid for investigators.

“We are also confused, there is room (for JC) for Sony to voice the truth behind this MBG corruption. In fact, besides providing 26 names which later grew to 41 names, he was also ready to provide quite valid evidence,” he said.

Nevertheless, Krisna stated that his party still respects and appreciates the prosecutor’s decision. He said he would immediately meet with Sony to discuss further legal plans after the official rejection of the JC application.

“We will continue to fight for the rights of our client, Soni Sonjaya, to obtain JC status and protection from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK),” he explained.

Previously, the Director of Investigations for the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, explained that there were two main considerations behind the investigators’ rejection of the application.

Firstly, he said, his party considers Sony to be one of the main perpetrators in the SPPG point trading case. Therefore, Sony is not a secondary perpetrator who can reveal other, larger parties in the MBG corruption case.

Secondly, Syarief stated that during the latest examination, Sony still denied his actions in the MBG corruption case. He explained that one of the main requirements for a JC application to be accepted is that the perpetrator must admit to their actions.