Indonesia police officer Lalu Muhammad Iwan charged in MBG nutrition program corruption

The Attorney General's Office has named Brigadier General Lalu Muhammad Iwan Mahardan, a senior police officer now serving as Secretary Deputy for Promotion and Cooperation at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), as a new suspect in the corruption case involving Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. Investigators allege he ordered the creation of a company to sell food trays (ompreng) to prospective SPPG partners at prices he set, diverting funds.

So far seven officials have been designated suspects, including former BGN head Dadan Hindayana, former deputy heads Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, and others linked to the appointment of SPPG sites and irregular procurement, such as the over‑priced purchase of 21,801 electric motorbikes. The probe covers the 2025‑2026 period of the program.

Government Communications Chief Muhammad Qodari said the investigation will be pursued impartially, regardless of the suspects' military or police backgrounds, and urged the public to allow the legal process to run its course.