Jakarta. The Attorney General’s Office has left open the possibility of questioning National Nutrition Agency (BGN) chief Nanik Deyang as part of an ongoing corruption investigation into the management of the government’s flagship free nutritious meals program, a senior prosecutor said on Tuesday.

The development comes after prosecutors detained former BGN chief Dadan Hindayana and his two former deputies, Sony Sanjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, as suspects in the case.

In a recent podcast appearance through his legal counsel, Sony alleged that Nanik played a significant role in procurement activities at the agency that are now under investigation for suspected corruption.

Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, director of corruption investigations at the Attorney General’s Office, said Nanik could potentially be questioned as a witness.

“Anyone who has knowledge of and direct experience related to this case may be examined as a witness,” Syarief told reporters in Jakarta.

He stressed, however, that being questioned as a witness should not be interpreted as evidence of criminal involvement.

According to Syarief, investigators will determine which individuals possess relevant information regarding the alleged corruption in the administration of the free meals program.

He declined to say when Nanik might be summoned, noting that such decisions depend on investigative needs and the evidence gathered by prosecutors.

Nanik, a die-hard supporter of Prabowo Subianto in past elections, previously served as BGN's deputy head before being appointed by the president earlier this month to replace Dadan following his arrest.

She has denied any involvement, arguing that she joined the agency after the procurement decisions now under scrutiny had already been made.

The 58-year-old former journalist has gained notoriety for spreading misinformation and negative campaigning against Prabowo's opponents, primarily during the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections.

The ongoing investigation centers on procurement practices and the appointment process for Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, known as SPPG, which prosecutors suspect may have been influenced by favoritism and bribery.

Authorities have named six suspects in the case, including the three former BGN officials and three business executives: Asep Yusuf Somantri, Andri Mulyono, and Glory Harimas Sihombing.

Prosecutors are examining a series of procurement contracts, including the purchase of 21,801 electric motorcycles worth Rp 1.03 trillion ($57.7 million), 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablet computers, and 5,400 75-inch television sets.

In a related development, the Attorney General’s Office has placed 17,600 electric motorcycles purchased by the agency under official supervision at two separate storage facilities.

Syarief said the motorcycles have not been seized as evidence but are being safeguarded because they were acquired using state funds.

“We will coordinate with BGN regarding how these assets will be used, and we will facilitate their release from storage when needed,” he said.

“We chose not to seize the 17,600 motorcycles because we were concerned that their economic value and practical usefulness could decline if they remained impounded for an extended period,” he added.

President Prabowo’s signature free meals initiative is a multibillion-dollar program designed to improve nutrition among schoolchildren, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups across Indonesia.

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