Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has named another suspect in a corruption investigation involving the Makan Bergizi Gratis (Free Nutritious Meals Program/MBG).
Investigators identified the suspect as Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS), a businessman and close associate of former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) deputy head Sony Sonjaya.
Director of Special Crimes Investigation Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi announced the development during a press conference on Thursday.
According to investigators, Sony asked Asep to recruit partners for the MBG program. Prosecutors allege Sony later gave Asep access to internal information. They say he used that access to influence the partner verification process. As a result, Asep allegedly gained information about vacant kitchen locations. He then manipulated registrations for Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).
Investigators said the scheme caused some approved applicants to lose their registration status. Meanwhile, other parties allegedly gained access to strategic locations.
Syarief also accused Asep of helping establish SPPG facilities at locations that should have been closed. In return, prosecutors allege Asep provided illegal payments to Sony after arranging the SPPG locations.
Authorities have charged Asep under Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Law and several provisions of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, prosecutors have ordered his detention for 20 days at the South Jakarta District Attorney’s detention facility in Salemba.
The case forms part of a broader investigation into the MBG program, one of the government’s flagship social initiatives.
Previously, investigators named former BGN head Dadan Hindayana, former deputy head Sony Sonjaya, and Lodewyk Pusung as suspects in the same case. According to prosecutors, regulations required foundations affiliated with recipient schools to manage the program.
However, investigators found that several SPPG operators had ties to senior BGN officials. They also found that some foundations failed to meet partnership requirements.
In addition, investigators uncovered alleged procurement markups. They believe the scheme reduced funds available for program operations.
The alleged markups involved 21,801 electric motorcycles worth Rp1.03 trillion. The procurement list also included 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablets, and 5,400 units of 75-inch televisions.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate the flow of funds. Prosecutors have not ruled out naming additional suspects.
