Dadan Hindayana Under International Media Scrutiny Following Dismissal and Suspect Designation

The former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has become a focal point for international media, including the Paris-based news agency AFP. The agency reported on Dadan following his dismissal from his position as Head of the BGN on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.

‘Indonesian President Sacks Head of Free Meal Scheme,’ read the headline of the article released on Wednesday morning. The report stated, ‘Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday dismissed the head of the agency responsible for the Free Nutritious Meal programme, one of the Indonesian government’s flagship initiatives.’

The report also included a statement from the Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, explaining that the leadership change was driven by concerns regarding food quality, among other issues. ‘The President has decided to implement changes in the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency,’ stated Minister Praselyo Hadi.

Beyond his dismissal, AFP also reported on the designation of Dadan Hindayana as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the illegal trading of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) points, investigated by the Attorney General’s Office. The headline read, ‘Indonesia arrests sacked head of free meal scheme.’

‘Indonesian officials on Wednesday arrested the former head of the free nutritious meal programme, who has been shadowed by cases of mass food poisoning and alleged corruption, just one day after his dismissal from office,’ the article noted.

Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi from the Attorney General’s Office stated, ‘Prabowo on Tuesday dismissed Dadan Hindayana, an entomologist who has led the National Nutrition Agency since its formation in August 2024, along with two deputies. All three were subsequently detained in Jakarta on Wednesday. They are suspected of involvement in criminal acts regarding the management of the programme.’

The case involving the former high-ranking BGN official emerged after investigators from the Attorney General’s Office conducted searches at the agency’s offices early in the morning. From the site, investigators are believed to have secured findings pointing towards the illegal trading of SPPG points within the national nutrition fulfilment programme.