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Family Revokes Elza Syarief's Legal Authority in Sony Sonjaya Corruption Case

Elza Syarief's legal representation for Sony Sonjaya in an Indonesian corruption case has been terminated after her family revoked her authority, not due to her own withdrawal decision. Legal counsel Krisna Murti expressed surprise at the action and disputed Elza's claims that Sony was concealing information for justice collaborator negotiations.



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Quick Facts
Who
Elza Syarief
What
Elza Syarief's legal authority revoked by her family
When
June 17, 2026
Where
Jakarta, Indonesia
- Elza Syarief's legal authority revoked by her family
- Withdrawal from legal representation of Sony Sonjaya
- Investigation into corruption allegations in Makan Bergizi Gratis program
- Dispute over justice collaborator status
- Official interrogation statements provided to prosecutors
In a significant development in the corruption investigation surrounding Indonesia's free nutritious meal program (Makan Bergizi Gratis), Elza Syarief's legal representation for Sony Sonjaya has been terminated due to her family revoking her authority, rather than her own decision to withdraw. Krisna Murti, another legal counsel representing Sony Sonjaya, the former deputy head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), expressed surprise at the sudden withdrawal and confirmed receiving notification of the family's action several days prior.
Krisna clarified that each attorney representing Sony Sonjaya was granted individual power of attorney, making the revocation of Elza's authority a separate matter from any collective decision by the defense team. He stated that he was unaware of the family's specific reasons for revoking Elza's legal mandate, though he noted the action came as a surprise to him.
Elza Syarief had previously indicated she was choosing to withdraw preemptively, stating that certain parties wanted her authority removed and that she preferred to step down before being formally revoked. She claimed she was viewed as a threat by some parties involved in the case. However, Krisna disputed some of Elza's prior statements, particularly her assertion that Sony's justice collaborator status would be difficult to obtain if he continued to conceal information. Krisna countered that Sony had been forthcoming during official investigations with the Attorney General's office, providing open statements in all interrogation records.
The case centers on allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the Makan Bergizi Gratis program, a high-profile initiative in Indonesia. The dispute over legal representation highlights tensions within the defense strategy as Sony Sonjaya faces investigation by prosecutors.
Why This Matters
This development is significant for understanding the internal dynamics and legal strategy in a high-profile Indonesian corruption investigation. The family's decision to revoke legal authority—rather than the lawyer's own withdrawal—signals potential disagreements over defense strategy and raises questions about the defendant's commitment to full disclosure during justice collaborator negotiations. For readers following Indonesian governance and anti-corruption efforts, this case illustrates how leadership failures in flagship social programs can unravel legal defenses and complicate prosecutorial outcomes.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WireElza Syarief makes statement about withdrawing from case and her concerns
Jun 18, 2026
WireKrisna Murti confirms that Elza's authority was revoked by her family, not her own decision
Jun 18, 2026
WireKompas.com publishes details of the legal representation withdrawal