New Suspect in Free Nutritious Meal Corruption Case

Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis or MBG) program—launched to combat childhood stunting and ensure proper nutrition for schoolchildren—is now embroiled in a major corruption scandal. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named a new suspect, described as a close aide to Sony Sonjaya, the former key official overseeing the national rollout of the initiative.

Central Role in School Allocation Scheme

According to reports from trusted outlets including detikNews, Kompas.id, and InvestorTrust, the newly named suspect allegedly played a pivotal role in selecting schools that would receive funding under the School-Based Nutrition Program (SPPG). Investigators claim this selection process lacked transparency and involved inflated budgets and non-competitive vendor appointments.

Close Ties to Sony Sonjaya

Sony Sonjaya was previously named a primary suspect in the case and is widely recognized as one of the chief architects behind the MBG program’s nationwide implementation. The addition of his close associate as a suspect suggests the corruption network may be more extensive than initially believed.

The AGO emphasized that its investigation remains ongoing and that further arrests cannot be ruled out. Public support for the probe is strong, given that the MBG program directly impacts vulnerable elementary school children who rely on these meals for essential nutrition.

Public Demand for Accountability

Citizens are calling for full transparency and impartial justice. A program designed to nourish children must not become a vehicle for graft. With budgets running into trillions of rupiah, every stolen rupiah translates to thousands of children deprived of their right to nutritious food.

Moving forward, experts urge the government to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms and involve independent auditors in evaluating critical social programs like MBG. Only through rigorous accountability can public trust in social policy be restored.