Former BGN Deputy Chief Sony Sonjaya Questioned in Indonesian School Meal Corruption Probe

Indonesian prosecutors on Thursday examined Sony Sonjaya, the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the management of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). The questioning at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta also involved six witnesses, as authorities work to finalize case files on suspected embezzlement and fund mismanagement.

Sonjaya, who arrived at the prosecutors' office around 9:30 a.m. local time, was seen carrying a notebook and pen but declined to answer questions from journalists. His lawyer, Krisna Murti, confirmed that the examination covered both the substance of the case and Sonjaya's application to become a justice collaborator, a status that could help uncover further involvement.

Sonjaya is one of five suspects named in the MBG corruption case, which covers alleged irregularities in the program's management during the 2025-2026 period. The other suspects include former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana, Deputy Head Lodewyk Pusung, Sonjaya's associate Asep Yusuf Somantri, and PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal Commissioner Andri Mulyono. All were charged shortly after President Prabowo Subianto removed them from their BGN positions.

Investigators allege that the MBG program was supposed to be managed by school-affiliated nutrition service foundations (SPPG), but many were appointed based on their connections to BGN officials rather than meeting qualification requirements. The case has uncovered significant price markups in procurement, including 21,801 electric motorcycles valued at approximately 1.03 trillion rupiah, 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablets, and 5,400 75-inch televisions. Prosecutors suspect that affiliated foundations received billions of rupiah in daily incentives through the scheme.

Sonjaya has reportedly named at least 26 individuals to investigators, and his lawyer stated that the justice collaborator application aims to reveal other parties involved. The Attorney General's office noted that two factors will determine whether Sonjaya's application is accepted: whether investigators still need his testimony as evidence, and how far his cooperation as a collaborator could extend.

Prosecutors continue to gather evidence and scrutinize procurement interventions, with the suspects facing charges under Indonesia's new Criminal Code and the Anti-Corruption Law.