TNI Colonel Implicated in Free Meal Programme Case, Military Headquarters Vows to Respect Legal Process

The Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters has responded to the investigation into the alleged involvement of an active colonel in a corruption case concerning the management of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). TNI has emphasised that it respects the legal process being carried out by the Attorney General’s Office through the Junior Attorney General for Military Crimes (Jampidmil), while also ensuring it will follow up on the matter according to regulations if criminal elements involving active personnel are found. “I need to convey that the TNI respects the ongoing legal process,” said the Head of the TNI Information Centre, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, on Thursday, 2 July 2026. Nas stated that the officer, identified by the initials Colonel CPL BU, is still a witness. However, the TNI is ready to coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office should the individual’s legal status be elevated. “If it is true that an active TNI soldier is suspected of involvement, the TNI will coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office to obtain complete information and will follow up in accordance with applicable legal provisions,” he said. He stressed that the TNI upholds the presumption of innocence and leaves the evidentiary process to law enforcement officials. The investigation into the alleged corruption in the management of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme has entered a new phase. After naming seven suspects, the Attorney General’s Office revealed the suspected involvement of an active TNI soldier in the case. This finding led investigators from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) to transfer the handling of the matter to the Junior Attorney General for Military Crimes for processing through a connectivity mechanism. The Director of Investigations at Jampidsus, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, stated that the involvement of the TNI member was uncovered during the development of the investigation into the alleged corruption case concerning the MBG Programme for the 2025–2026 period. The soldier in question, with the initials BU and the rank of Colonel CPL, is known to serve as the Secretary of the Deputy for Provision and Distribution at the National Nutrition Agency, as well as the Commitment Making Officer (PPK) for several procurement projects.