KPK Had Opened MBG Corruption Investigation, but Pre-empted by Attorney General's Office

The Corruption Eradasting Commission (KPK) had previously conducted an open investigation regarding alleged corruption within the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). However, the KPK was pre-empted by the Attorney General’s Office, which suddenly conducted forced summons of related parties and raided the BGN office in Central Jakarta. The timeframe between the investigation order and the full criminal investigation order was only one week.

“It is true, we did have an investigation underway,” said the Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, when confirmed on Monday night (8/6). When asked about the follow-up to said investigation, Taufik remained brief, as the Attorney General’s Office has already commenced the investigation process and named suspects. He stated that the KPK is currently awaiting potential coordination between the two agencies.

“Therefore, we will see the synergy regarding the investigation processes,” he said. Taufik added that the KPK will also conduct a case review or exposé to ensure follow-up actions regarding findings obtained during the investigation. “We will await the case review and the decision made by the leadership,” said Taufik.

The Attorney General’s Office has already detained three suspects in the alleged corruption case, which has caused state losses in the management of the MBG programme. The suspects include BGN leaders Dadan Hindayana, Sony Sonjaya, and Lodewyk Pusung, all of whom have been removed from their positions. Dadan and his associates are alleged to have traded SPPG sites (MBG kitchens) for profit and engaged in procurement mark-ups within the BGN, including for electric motorcycles.