DPR Backs Sudaryono's Appointment to Reform Free Nutritious Meal Programme Governance

House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX member Muazzim Akbar has endorsed the appointment of Sudaryono as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme. “I see the public responding positively to Sudaryono’s appointment, including us at Commission IX of the DPR as partners of the BGN,” Muazzim stated in Mataram on Friday. According to him, Sudaryono’s experience as Deputy Minister of Agriculture is an added value because the implementation of the MBG programme is closely linked to the provision of food raw materials. He is confident that Sudaryono will be able to resolve various issues within the BGN, including settling problems related to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) partners within the next one to two months. Muazzim explained that the temporary suspension, or moratorium, on the construction and addition of new SPPG kitchens is being carried out to improve the governance of the SPPG and the MBG programme, so partners need not worry. “The moratorium is not a closure, but an improvement to make things better,” he said. According to Muazzim, SPPGs that are willing to meet the requirements will be retained, while those that do not make improvements risk having their operations terminated. Furthermore, verification results also found around 13,000 kitchens that have been built but are not yet operational and are still in the assessment process. “So, it is impossible for the government to want to harm its people. If they have already been built, it is also impossible for them to be completely shut down,” he said. President Prabowo Subianto previously inaugurated Sudaryono as Head of the BGN at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/7). Sudaryono was inaugurated based on Presidential Decree Number 78/P of 2026 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Head of the BGN, stipulated by President Prabowo Subianto on 22 July 2026.