BGN Chief Sudaryono Reveals Reasons for Involving TNI-Polri in Free Nutritious Meals Programme

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has spoken about the possibility of involving the TNI-Polri in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Sudaryono stated that whoever is involved aims to ensure the programme runs well and is precisely targeted. He cited the example of TNI-Polri involvement in the agricultural sector, where they assisted with the distribution of water pumps during the dry season. The reason at the time was that there was no specific budget for distribution costs, so both institutions were engaged to help farmers. “It is the same as in agriculture, for example, involving all elements,” he said at the BGN office in Jakarta on Wednesday. However, at the beginning of his leadership at the BGN, he did not wish to comment further on the involvement of the TNI-Polri in the MBG programme. He expressed hope that whoever is involved will make the programme much better. “I do not wish to comment further, but the point is that all parties should work out how this can be implemented properly,” he said. President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Sudaryono as Head of the BGN, replacing Nanik S Deyang who resigned. The inauguration of the BGN Head is a step by the Prabowo administration to strengthen the reform agenda of providing Free Nutritious Meals to Indonesian children. Sudaryono was appointed based on Presidential Decree 78/B 2026 BGN concerning the dismissal and appointment of the Head of the BGN. President Prabowo personally led the oath-taking ceremony before state officials. “By Allah I swear that I will be loyal to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and will execute all laws and regulations as conscientiously as possible for my devotion to the nation and state,” said Prabowo, with Sudaryono repeating the oath. He added, “That in carrying out my duties, I will uphold the ethics of office, work as well as possible with a full sense of responsibility.”