AGO Names New Suspect in Free Meal Corruption Case

AGO Adds Glory Harimas Sihombing as New Suspect in Free Meal Corruption Case

AGO Names New Suspect in Free - TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has recently identified Glory Harimas Sihombing as a new individual under investigation in the corruption allegations surrounding the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). This development comes as the ongoing probe into the case continues to uncover more layers of involvement, with the latest suspect being linked to the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation (IFSR). Glory, who currently serves as the chair of the IFSR, was initially called as a witness before being reclassified as a suspect, according to official statements.

Investigation Progress and New Designation

On Thursday, the AGO’s Jampidsus division confirmed the addition of Glory to the suspect list, citing the investigative team’s findings. Syarief Sulaiman Nahdi, the head of the Jampidsus unit, stated during the confirmation that Glory has been designated a suspect due to his role as a private actor in the case. However, he refrained from providing detailed insights into Glory’s specific contributions to the alleged corruption. This move marks a significant shift in the case’s trajectory, as the scope of inquiry expands beyond public officials to include figures from non-governmental entities.

“Investigators have designated GHS, a private actor, as a suspect in this case,” said Syarief Sulaiman Nahdi, the director of investigation at Jampidsus AGO, when confirmed by Tempo on Thursday.

Glory’s recent appearance at the AGO headquarters provided a glimpse into his current status. Witnesses reported seeing him exiting the building wearing a pink detainee vest, a visual cue that underscored his transition from a neutral observer to an accused party. During the brief encounter, he remained silent as authorities transported him to a detention vehicle, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the public’s anticipation of further revelations.

Background on the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation

The IFSR, which Glory leads, has been at the center of recent scrutiny. The foundation’s publication of a book titled *“IFSR Strategy in Accelerating the Implementation of 32,000 SPPG & 82 Million Beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG)”* has drawn attention to its influence over the program’s execution. The book, launched on May 9, 2025, was attended by Dadan Hindayana, the former head of the BGN, who also contributed a foreword. This event, held just months before the corruption investigation intensified, raises questions about the foundation’s role in shaping policies that may have facilitated illicit activities.

Glory’s ties to the Gerindra Party are further emphasized by his association with Dirgayuza Setiawan, the co-founder of the IFSR and currently the President’s Special Assistant for Communication. The foundation’s alignment with Prabowo-Gibran Youth Volunteers, Prabowo’s Expert Council Office, and the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team, as outlined in the *Indonesia Corruption Watch* report *“Who’s Behind MBG?”*, suggests a broader network of political and organizational interests intertwined with the MBG program. Hanief Adrian, the Secretary General of the Prabowo-Gibran Youth Volunteers (RMPG), is listed as the foundation’s patron, adding another dimension to its potential influence.

MBG Program and Its Operational Scope

According to the BGN’s website, the IFSR oversees multiple MBG kitchens nationwide, including locations in Ciputat, South Tangerang; Sleman, Yogyakarta; and Karawang. These kitchens are critical to the program’s goal of providing meals to 82 million beneficiaries, a mission that has now become embroiled in controversy. The inclusion of Glory as a suspect implies that his leadership of the foundation may have played a pivotal role in the distribution of resources or the allocation of funds, potentially enabling corrupt practices.

The MBG program, aimed at ensuring food security for vulnerable populations, has faced allegations of misuse. Investigators have pointed to the foundation’s extensive operations as a key area of focus, with its management of kitchens serving as a potential point of entry for malfeasance. Glory’s dual role as a public figure and a private actor in the case underscores the complexity of the investigation, which now spans both governmental and non-governmental institutions.

Other Suspects and Their Connections

Glory is the sixth individual implicated in the MBG corruption case, following the initial arrests of former BGN head Dadan Hindayana and his two deputies, Ret. Police Inspector General Sony Sonjaya and Ret. Lieutenant General TNI Lodewyk Pusung. The case also includes Asep Yusuf Somantri, a close associate of Sony Sonjaya, and Andri Mulyono (AM), the commissioner of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal (PT YAT), whose company supplied electric motorcycles to the BGN. These connections highlight a web of relationships that may have facilitated the flow of funds or resources for personal gain.

The investigation into the MBG program has revealed a pattern of involvement among individuals with ties to the BGN and its affiliated organizations. Sony Sonjaya, a former deputy head of the BGN, was previously implicated in the case, with his lawyer, Elza Syarief, vowing to uncover all details during the probe. The inclusion of Glory adds another layer to this network, suggesting that the corruption may have been orchestrated through a combination of public and private entities.

As the AGO continues its inquiry, the focus remains on how the MBG program’s implementation could have been manipulated for personal benefit. The case not only implicates officials but also extends to private actors, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in public welfare initiatives. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the extent of Glory’s involvement, as well as the broader implications for the MBG program’s integrity.

The addition of Glory to the suspect list has sparked public interest, with media outlets closely following the developments. As the case progresses, the AGO is expected to release more details about the evidence linking Glory to the corruption allegations. This expansion of the inquiry reflects the growing pressure to address potential misuse of resources within the MBG program, a key initiative for Indonesia’s food security strategy.

Read: Sony Sonjaya's Lawyer, Elza Syarief: We Will Reveal Everything

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