List of Parties Deny Involvement in MBG Corruption Following Sony Sanjaya's 'Revelations'

A number of parties reacted swiftly after their names appeared on a list of those allegedly involved in the suspected corruption case surrounding the free nutritious meals (MBG) programme, which has implicated three leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Former BGN Deputy Chief Sony Sonjaya, one of the suspects, had previously applied for justice collaborator (JC) status to expose other parties involved in the case. Besides Sony, the other two suspects are former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana and former BGN Deputy Chief Lodewyk Pusung.

Sony’s legal counsel, Krisna Murti, revealed there are 26 names involved in the MBG corruption case. According to Krisna, they are spread across the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. “Mainly from the executive, legislative and judiciary. (The most) legislative. (Total number of names) 26, likely to increase, that’s only a portion,” Krisna stated. Although the names were only submitted to investigators at the Attorney General’s Office, the list has already spread on social media. As a result, several of those named immediately issued denials.

The Democratic Party’s Central Executive Board (DPP) asserted it knows nothing about the case. They denied involvement in procuring MBG kitchen locations. The Democratic Party stated their Chairman, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), never recommended anyone to participate in the MBG project as alleged. “AHY has never proposed, recommended, requested assistance, or asked for support from Mr. Sony Sonjaya regarding the SPPG programme or any other matter, either directly or indirectly,” said Head of Strategic Communication for the Democratic Party, Herzaky Mahendra Putra.

Besides the Democrats, a denial was also issued by the leadership of the House of Representatives’ Health Commission. The deputy chairman of the commission, Yahya Zaini, stated that information circulating on social media suggesting his side’s involvement was a hoax. “It is not true, all members of Commission IX are not involved in corruption at BGN. That information is a hoax,” said the Golkar Party politician.

KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto reacted strongly and denied involvement after his name circulated. Fitroh claimed he does not know Sony Sonjaya at all. “I do not know Sony personally and I have never communicated to ask for kitchen locations, let alone buy locations because I am not in the kitchen business,” Fitroh said. Meanwhile, KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo explained Fitroh has no relationship with Sony Sonjaya. As for a foundation linked to the MBG programme, it was established long beforehand.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya acknowledged having coordinated with BGN. However, this communication was solely related to official duties, not personal interests. Bima explained that Presidential Decree Number 28 of 2025 concerning the Coordination Team for the Implementation of the MBG Programme sets out several tasks for the Ministry of Home Affairs. One is to facilitate the resolution of obstacles and barriers in the implementation of MBG together with regional governments and BGN. “There is no personal interest, let alone owning a kitchen. I only met and coordinated with BGN leaders at official coordination meetings,” he stated.

Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Dudung Abdurrachman admitted he once contacted former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana regarding a request from a pesantren to become both a beneficiary and an implementer of MBG. However, he claimed not to be involved in the subsequent process. Dudung also stressed he has never owned an SPPG through BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.

Gerindra Party DPP Chairman Prasetyo Hadi asserted there was no party instruction for cadres to build SPPG kitchens. He said the ownership of SPPG by several cadres is a personal initiative. “Because the party’s name is also being dragged in, what we can convey on behalf of the party is that there is certainly no institutional instruction,” Pras stated. He added that if individual cadres are involved, it is on their own initiative. Pras did not flatly deny SPPG ownership by some party cadres, noting it is not prohibited as long as procedural regulations are not violated.