Multiple Parties Deny MBG Corruption Allegations After Sony Sonjaya's 'Revelations'
A number of parties have collectively denied allegations of their involvement in a suspected corruption case concerning the governance of the free nutritious meal programme (MBG).
These statements were made after former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sanjaya, one of the suspects, threatened to reveal a list of names involved in the MBG corruption case. Sony has applied for Justice Collaborator (JC) status in the matter, which grants him special protection if he agrees to expose the involvement of other parties.
Sony’s legal representative stated that 26 names are implicated in the MBG corruption case. Sony’s lawyer, Krisna Murti, mentioned that dozens of prominent names have been recorded in the official Examination Report (BAP) by investigators from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes. “Essentially from the executive, legislative, and judiciary. The legislative [branch] has the most. The total number of names is 26, likely to increase, that’s only a partial list,” Krisna said.
Although Krisna did not detail the names to the public, several individuals have already issued denials, ranging from legislators and ministers to regional heads.
The chairperson of the Democratic Party denied any connection with former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sanjaya, who has been named a suspect in the case. The Democratic Party asserted it has never recommended anyone to receive an allocation of projects under the MBG programme. Head of the Democratic Party’s Strategic Communication Agency, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, stated that party chairman AHY does not know Sony Sonjaya. According to him, AHY has never met nor communicated with the individual concerned. “AHY has never proposed, recommended, requested assistance, or asked for support from Mr Sony Sonjaya regarding the SPPG programme or any other matter, directly or indirectly,” he added.
Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives Commission IX for health, Yahya Zaini, denied his party’s involvement. According to Yahya, information that had circulated on social media alleging his party’s involvement is a hoax. “It is not true, all members of Commission IX are not involved in corruption at the BGN. That information is a hoax,” said the Golkar Party politician. Another name circulating on social media was Commission IX member Irma Chaniago, a lawmaker from the PAN faction, who also previously issued a denial.
A similar statement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Fitroh Rohcahyanto after his name was circulated. Fitroh stressed he does not know Sony Sonjaya at all. “I do not know Sony personally and I have never communicated to request a kitchen point, let alone buy a point because I am not in the kitchen business,” Fitroh said. 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 before the programme existed.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya also denied the allegations. He admitted having coordinated with the BGN; however, this communication was solely work-related, not for personal interests. “There was no personal interest whatsoever, let alone owning a kitchen. I only met and coordinated with BGN leadership at official coordination meetings,” he said, explaining that various duties of the Ministry of Home Affairs are regulated by Presidential Decree concerning the MBG Programme Coordination Team, including facilitating the resolution of obstacles in implementing MBG with regional governments.
Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Dudung Abdurachman, also denied reports claiming he owns an MBG programme kitchen through former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana. Dudung admitted he had contacted Dadan regarding a request from an Islamic boarding school to become a beneficiary and implementer of MBG, but he claims he was not involved in the subsequent process. He explained that several boarding school administrators had asked for help being introduced to Dadan, as the school had administrative readiness and a large enough number of students to potentially be designated as a kitchen point.