Two Colonels Allegedly Proposed by AHY Emerge in MBG Corruption Case, Democrats Deny

The Democratic Party has spoken out regarding allegations that Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) is linked to a corruption case involving the procurement of goods and services for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. AHY was implicated after a social media post circulated mentioning ‘two colonels proposed by AHY’ in a list of names related to the case that ensnared former National Nutrition Agency head Sony Sonjaya.

Head of the Democratic Party’s Strategic Communication Agency, Herzaky Mahendra Putra, asserted that AHY has no connection to Sony Sonjaya. Sony Sonjaya had mentioned 20 names to investigators during the examination process.

‘Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) does not know Sony Sonjaya. AHY has never met or communicated with Sony Sonjaya,’ Herzaky said in a written statement on Thursday (11/6).

Herzaky also denied any involvement by AHY in proposing or recommending any parties related to the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) programme or other programmes under MBG. ‘AHY has never proposed, recommended, requested assistance, or asked for support from Sony Sonjaya regarding the SPPG programme or any other matter, either directly or indirectly,’ he stated.

According to Herzaky, the circulating post did not explain in detail who was meant by the phrase ‘AHY’ or ‘two colonels’. However, if it referred to Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the association was deemed to have no accountable factual basis. He stressed that there is no evidence or information linking AHY to the parties currently being investigated in the alleged MBG corruption case. ‘Therefore, the phrase ’two colonels proposed by AHY’, if it concerns Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, can be confirmed as slander and contains no truth whatsoever,’ Herzaky said.