Elza Syarief Resigns from Sony Sonjaya's Legal Team in the MBG Case

JAKARTA - Elza Syarief's lawyer resigned from the legal team of the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sony Sonjaya who is a suspect in the alleged corruption case of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) management. Elza admitted that he made this decision because he judged Sony was not being honest with him.

Elza revealed that he had resigned from Sony's legal team since Monday, June 15. The decision was made after he received new information regarding the development of the investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung).

According to Elza, at first he was willing to provide legal assistance to Sony pro bono because he believed that the former deputy head of BGN was not involved in corrupt practices. However, his views changed after information emerged that Sony was suspected of receiving funds from Asep Yusuf Somantri (AYS), a suspect from the private sector who had been appointed by the Attorney General's Office.

"It's not honest. The prosecutor's office itself gave the news, and after I resigned, I received news that the prosecutor's office would not necessarily give JC to SS after seeing the facts of Asep," he said.

The statement also responded to Sony Sonjaya's move to previously apply as a justice collaborator (JC) in the MBG corruption case being investigated by the Attorney General's Office.

Meanwhile, Sony Sonjaya is scheduled to undergo an examination by investigators from the Attorney General's Office for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) of the Attorney General's Office, Thursday, June 18, regarding the investigation into the alleged corruption of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program management.

The examination of Sony is of concern because he had previously volunteered as a justice collaborator (JC) and admitted that he had provided information to investigators regarding parties suspected of knowing or being related to the case being investigated.

Head of the Legal Information Center (Kapuspenkum) of the Attorney General's Office, Anang Supriatna, confirmed the agenda of the examination.

"That's right," Anang told reporters, Wednesday, June 17.

The examination was carried out in order to strengthen the evidence of the case of alleged corruption in the management of the Free Nutritious Meal Program at the National Nutrition Agency for the period 2025-2026 which is currently still in the investigation stage.

In this case, the Attorney General's Office has named five suspects. They are former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana (DH), former BGN official Lodewyk Pusung (LP), former Deputy Head of BGN Sony Sonjaya (SS), Asep Yusuf Soemantri (AYS) from the private sector, and Commissioner of PT YAT Andri Mulyono (AM).

Investigators suspect that there are acts against the law that cause state losses in the implementation of the MBG program. The alleged irregularities that are being investigated include procurement of goods and services and incentives to foundations that are partners of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).