Indonesia ex‑Nutrition Agency deputy Lodewyk Pusung linked to alleged MBG corruption

In a pre‑trial hearing at South Jakarta District Court, witness Bagus Artiadi Soewardi testified that Mathilda Sylvia Mangindaan, the wife of former Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN) deputy Lodewyk Pusung, manages a Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) kitchen. He noted that BGN had no rule prohibiting its staff from operating SPPG facilities, though it requires legal and safety certifications. The testimony came as part of a corruption investigation into the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program for the 2025‑2026 fiscal year. On 3 June 2026, the Attorney General’s Office named Lodewyk Pusung, former BGN head Dadan Hindayana and former deputy Sony Sonjaya as suspects, alongside several other officials and private actors.

Bagus also stated that Lodewyk lacked authority to appoint partner foundations for the MBG program and that attempts were made to misuse his name to solicit money. Lodewyk filed the pre‑trial motion to contest the legality of his suspect designation, arrest and detention. The case centers on alleged misuse of the nutrition programme’s partner‑selection process and possible extortion linked to the SPPG kitchen operations.