LPSK Rejects Sony Sonjaya's Justice Collaborator Plea in Free Nutritious Meal Corruption Case

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) has officially rejected the application for cooperating witness status, or justice collaborator (JC), submitted by Sony Sonjaya. Sony is a suspect in the alleged corruption case concerning the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

LPSK Deputy Chairperson Susilaningtias stated that the decision was based on an in-depth review referring to Law Number 3 of 2026 on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims and Government Regulation (PP) Number 24 of 2025. According to her, Sony did not meet the cumulative criteria required by the regulation.

“So Mr Sony does not meet the requirements to be a JC, because he does not fulfil the requirements in the Witness and Victim Protection Law, Law Number 3 of 2026, and the PP on JC, PP 24 of 2025,” Susilaningtias told reporters on Tuesday (14/7/2026).

Susilaningtias detailed four main reasons for the rejection. Firstly, Sony was deemed not to have provided significant or crucial information regarding the involvement of other intellectual actors who played a larger role in this case. The information provided so far was considered not yet forthcoming, either to the LPSK or to police investigators.

Secondly, based on the results of the review of the legal process at the police level, Sony’s legal standing is recorded as the main perpetrator in the corruption case. The status as a main perpetrator automatically nullifies the formal requirements to become a justice collaborator.

Thirdly, the LPSK did not detect any real physical or psychological threats to the safety of Sony or his family during the legal process. Lastly, Sony was deemed not to have shown good faith to restore state financial losses.

“Regarding the willingness to return the proceeds of the crime, that has also not been conveyed. So far, there has been no such commitment from him,” Susilaningtias stressed.

With this rejection, the LPSK confirmed it will not provide deputy protection or recommendations for a reduced sentence for Sony Sonjaya in the upcoming trial. This decision effectively closes the door for the suspect to obtain legal privileges as a cooperating witness.