MBG Graft Suspect Sony Sonjaya Seeks Whistleblower Status

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sony Sonjaya, a suspect in the mismanagement of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) project, has formally requested justice collaborator status from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).

"A request for justice collaborator status has been submitted to LPSK, and it is under review," LPSK Chairperson Achmadi confirmed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Achmadi noted that his agency will coordinate with the Attorney General's Office regarding Sony's application. "We are still investigating the matter," Achmadi told reporters at the LPSK office in East Jakarta.

Sony's defense attorney, Krisna Murti, explained that the move was prompted by serious safety concerns for his client and family, particularly after Sanjaya resolved to expose 41 names allegedly tied to the graft case.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Office previously indicated it was not ready to grant the request. "We cannot yet fulfill the justice collaborator request made by Sony Sanjaya," stated Syarief Sulaiman Nahdi, Director of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office.

According to Syarief, the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) failed to meet two core requirements for the status: the applicant must not be the primary perpetrator and must fully admit to their wrongdoing.

Sony fell short of the first criterion. "In this case, suspect SS applied for justice collaborator status regarding alleged quota-selling, making him the principal actor," Syarief clarified on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Investigators also concluded that Sony failed the second condition. Syarief pointed out that during interrogation, Sanjaya showed no signs of admitting to the charges leveled against him.

The Attorney General's Office has so far named six suspects in the procurement scandal. Alongside Sony Sanjaya, the list includes former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana and his deputy, Lodewyk Pusung. The remaining suspects are Asep Yusuf Somantri, an associate of Sony, Andi Mulyono, and Glory Harimas Sihombing.

In this case, the prosecutor's office has designated six suspects. In addition to Sony, there are the former Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana and his deputy, Lodewyk Pusung. Also involved are Asep Yusuf Somantri, who is reportedly close to Sony Sanjaya, Andi Mulyono, and Glory Harimas Sihombing.

Hanin Marwah contributed to this article.

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