Sixth Suspect Emerges in MBG Case Over Rp100 Million Kitchen Deals
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- Indonesian prosecutors have named a sixth suspect in a widening corruption probe into the MBG school meal program, involving alleged sales of kitchen units and bribery.
- Authorities allege a scheme where SPPG kitchen locations were sold for Rp100 million each, with kickbacks paid to a former government official.
- The case also includes separate allegations of procurement mark-ups worth trillions of rupiah, highlighting systemic governance issues.
Jakarta – The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named Glory Harimas Sihombing (GHS), chair of the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation, as the sixth suspect in a corruption case linked to the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. Prosecutors allege that Glory sold Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) to partners for at least Rp100 million per location.
Director of Investigations at the AGO’s Special Crimes Unit, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, said each SPPG kitchen unit was offered at a minimum of Rp100 million. From these transactions, Glory allegedly made regular payments to former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana starting in 2025.
“The payments exceeded Rp20 million each time, with an average around Rp100 million, and were made routinely since 2025,” Syarief said during the announcement on Thursday.
According to investigators, Glory, a private actor, had been tasked by Dadan to recruit partners for the implementation of the MBG program. This role granted him access to critical information on the allocation of kitchen locations.
Syarief explained that Dadan provided Glory with insider access to data on SPPG kitchen points—facilities established by MBG partners to prepare and distribute meals to student beneficiaries. Under official regulations, SPPG establishments must undergo BGN verification and be operated through foundations linked to recipient schools.
“However, after securing control over these kitchen points, GHS’s foundation sold them to parties interested in setting up MBG kitchens in designated areas,” Syarief said.
Payments to Dadan
Investigators further revealed that Dadan facilitated Glory’s communication with BGN verification teams, who hold authority over approving SPPG kitchens.
“After arranging the allocation of SPPG points, GHS unlawfully transferred funds, in both foreign currency and rupiah, to DH,” Syarief stated.
The payments allegedly originated from third parties seeking assistance from Glory and Dadan to secure MBG partnership status.
“GHS provided cash payments sourced from MBG partners who sought his and DH’s help to become program partners,” Syarief added.
Prior to naming Glory as a suspect, investigators had already charged five individuals in connection with the case, including Dadan Hindayana and two BGN deputy heads, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewijk Paulus. Authorities also named Asep Yusuf Somantri, an associate of Sony, as the fourth suspect, and Andrew Mulyono, president commissioner of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal (YAT), as the fifth.
The corruption investigation into the MBG program has been divided into several clusters. In the primary cluster, prosecutors uncovered alleged trading and manipulation of kitchen allocation points. Officials said high-ranking BGN figures received payments amounting to billions—and potentially trillions—of rupiah.
In a separate cluster, investigators are probing alleged mark-ups in procurement for the MBG program. These include inflated purchases of 20,801 electric motorcycles worth Rp1.1 trillion, 54,000 units of 75-inch televisions, and 32,000 pairs of shoes.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
