Story Behind Dadan's Naming as MBG Corruption Suspect, Starting from Purbaya's Report to Alleged Goods Mark-Up

Former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana has officially been named a suspect in a case of alleged corruption in the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. In addition to Dadan, the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has also named two former BGN Deputy Heads, Sonny Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, as suspects. The Director of Investigation at the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, stated that the suspects were named after investigators obtained sufficient evidence from a series of examinations. After being named suspects, the three were immediately escorted to a detention vehicle wearing pink prosecutor’s office detainee vests and handcuffs. Syarief explained that the suspects are currently being detained for the next 20 days at the Salemba Detention Centre, branch of the Attorney General’s Office, and the Salemba Detention Centre, branch of the South Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that information submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the Attorney General’s Office regarding alleged irregularities within the BGN became one of the materials used in the investigation process. According to Purbaya, oversight of state budget usage is carried out jointly by several institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), and the Attorney General’s Office. Regarding Dadan’s removal from his position, Purbaya emphasised that the decision was the President’s prerogative after evaluating the official’s performance. President Prabowo Subianto revealed that he had received reports about alleged problems within the BGN long before the leadership change was made.