Indonesian prosecutors have seized a warehouse in Sentul, West Java, containing over 21,000 electric motorcycles as part of a widening corruption investigation into the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) confirmed the facility was sealed on Wednesday to secure evidence of alleged procurement irregularities linked to the 2025-2026 management of the initiative.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) had already issued full payment for 21,801 electric motorcycles, yet the majority of these vehicles remained in storage rather than reaching their intended beneficiaries.
Scope of the Investigation
The AGO has officially named five suspects in the case, including former BGN chief Dadan Hindayana and former deputy heads Lodewyk Pusung and Sony Sonjaya. Businessman Asep Yusuf Soemantri and Andri Mulyono are also listed as suspects. According to the AGO, these individuals are alleged to have inflated costs and contracted vendors that failed to meet necessary qualification requirements.
The investigation centers on a Rp 1.035 trillion ($56 million) contract awarded to Yasa Artha Trimanunggal. Prosecutors suspect the firm lacked the required dealership network and service centers to support a national-scale project of this magnitude. Beyond the motorcycles, the probe now encompasses alleged irregularities in the procurement of 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablet computers, and 5,400 television sets.
This investigation represents a significant challenge to the MBG program, a flagship social initiative under President Prabowo Subianto. The transition from operational rollout to intense legal scrutiny highlights the inherent risks in large-scale government procurement, where the speed of distribution can sometimes outpace the depth of vendor vetting and regulatory oversight.
What Happens Next
The Attorney General’s Office has stated that it will continue to trace fund flows to identify potential additional suspects. As the legal process unfolds, prosecutors aim to recover state losses resulting from the alleged procurement violations. Analysts expect the investigation to expand further as the AGO reviews the contracts for non-motorcycle assets, which may lead to additional charges or the identification of further parties involved in the alleged scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which officials are currently named as suspects?
The AGO has named five suspects: former BGN chief Dadan Hindayana, former deputy head for organizational development and institutional relations Lodewyk Pusung, former deputy head for nutrition fulfillment operations Sony Sonjaya, and businessmen Asep Yusuf Soemantri and Andri Mulyono.
What is the primary allegation regarding the electric motorcycle contract?
Prosecutors allege that the suspects inflated procurement costs and awarded the Rp 1.035 trillion ($56 million) contract to Yasa Artha Trimanunggal, a company investigators suspect lacked the necessary infrastructure, such as dealerships and service centers, to support the national project.
Are other items under investigation besides the motorcycles?
Yes, the AGO is currently examining alleged irregularities in the procurement of 32,000 pairs of shoes, 31,994 tablet computers, and 5,400 television sets, which are suspected to involve violations similar to those found in the motorcycle contract.
How do you think this investigation will impact the delivery of social services to students in the coming months?
