Attorney Elza Syarief has officially resigned from the legal team representing Sony Sonjaya, the former Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), effective Monday, June 15. The resignation follows the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) naming Asep Yusuf Somantri, a close associate of Sonjaya, as a suspect in the ongoing corruption investigation into the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program for the 2025-2026 period.
The investigation into the MBG program centers on alleged markups and improper procurement, involving the purchase of 21,801 electric motorcycles valued at Rp1.03 trillion, alongside 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablets, and 5,400 televisions.
Reasons for the Legal Withdrawal
Elza Syarief stated that she chose to withdraw because she felt misled by her client. According to Syarief, investigators identified that Asep Yusuf Somantri allegedly provided recurring payments to Sonjaya derived from the sale of Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) service points. She expressed that these findings contradicted Sonjaya’s prior claims of innocence.
“Because Mr. Sony was not honest and swore he was clean, but information from several people, especially Asep, indicates he received money from Asep regularly,” Syarief told reporters on Tuesday, June 16. She added that she felt there was a lack of transparency regarding what information was being disclosed and what was being protected.
The resignation of high-profile counsel often signals a breakdown in the attorney-client privilege dynamic, particularly when a defendant’s strategy hinges on seeking Justice Collaborator (JC) status. For a suspect to successfully secure JC status, transparency with both legal counsel and investigators is typically a prerequisite; when an attorney publicly cites a client’s lack of honesty as a reason for withdrawal, the path to such cooperation becomes significantly more difficult.
Implications for the Justice Collaborator Status
Syarief expressed pessimism regarding the likelihood of Sonjaya being granted Justice Collaborator (JC) status by the Attorney General’s Office. She noted that the investigator’s discovery of a regular flow of funds to Sonjaya significantly weakens his position. While she acknowledged that other members of the defense team might leverage personal connections to the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) and the Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence (Jamintel), she maintained that the established lack of honesty regarding the funds remains a critical barrier.
Status of the Investigation
The Attorney General’s Office has named a total of five suspects in the MBG program corruption case. In addition to Sony Sonjaya, the list includes former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana, former BGN Deputy Head Lodewyk Pusung, Asep Yusuf Somantri, and Andri Mulyono, a commissioner at PT. Yasa Artha Trimanunggal.
Investigators allege that the program, which was intended to be managed by SPPG foundations affiliated with recipient schools, was instead directed by individuals with ties to BGN officials. Many of these foundations reportedly failed to meet the necessary requirements to serve as SPPG partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Elza Syarief resign from Sony Sonjaya’s legal team?
Syarief stated she felt misled by Sonjaya after learning from the Attorney General’s Office that he allegedly received regular payments from his associate, Asep Yusuf Somantri, linked to the sale of SPPG service points.
Who are the primary suspects in the MBG program corruption case?
The five suspects are Dadan Hindayana (former BGN Head), Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung (former BGN Deputy Heads), Asep Yusuf Somantri (Sonjaya’s associate), and Andri Mulyono (Commissioner of PT. Yasa Artha Trimanunggal).
What was the nature of the alleged corruption?
The Attorney General’s Office reports that the program involved the appointment of unqualified foundations affiliated with BGN officials and significant price markups on goods, including electric motorcycles, footwear, tablets, and televisions.
How might the defense strategy for the remaining suspects shift following the departure of Sonjaya’s primary legal counsel?