Foreign Media Highlight Dismissal of National Nutrition Agency Head Dadan Hindayana
International media outlets are highlighting the dismissal of the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Among them is AFP, the Paris-based international news agency, which reported on the removal in an article titled “Indonesian president sacks head of free meal scheme”.
“Indonesian President Prabowo Subcaanto on Tuesday dismissed the head of the agency responsible for his flagship free school meal programme, which has been marred by cases of mass food poisoning and allegations of corruption,” AFP began its report. “This highly touted, multi-billion dollar programme was a cornerstone of Prabowo’s 2024 election campaign. The government stated it has provided food to over 61 million people as of March, but tens of thousands have fallen ill since the programme was launched in January last year,” AFP wrote.
Singapore’s prominent publication, The Straits Times, also reported on the dismissal of the BGN Head, the implementer of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, in an article titled: “Indonesia’s Prabowo sacks head of free meal scheme that sickened thousands”. The publication quoted the Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, speaking to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday night.
“The President has decided to make changes to the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency,” said Prasetyo, citing food quality as one of the various concerns behind the move. As reported by The Straits Times, critics have called for the programme to be suspended due to hygiene issues and corruption allegations.
“The government will continue to ensure that during the ongoing evaluation process, all National Nutrition Agency programmes will continue to operate as usual,” Prasetyo stated.
Malaysian media, The Star, also covered the dismissal in an article titled: “Indonesian president sacks head of free meal scheme”. Another Malaysian outlet, the New Straits Times (NST), reported: “Prabowo removes head of free meals agency over governance concerns.”
“Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed the head of the National Nutrition Agency, which manages his flagship US$20 billion free nutritious school meal programme, according to an official, citing governance issues and food quality,” NST reported. The NST also highlighted investor concerns regarding the impact of Prabowo’s spending on the national budget for large welfare projects, including the free meal programme.
“The government plans to spend 268 trillion rupiah (US$15 billion) on the programme this year, lower than the initial allocation of 335 trillion rupiah,” wrote NST.
Dadan Hindayana, an entomologist who has led the BGN since its inception, has been replaced by his deputy, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang. Last month, the anti-corruption watchdog Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) filed a complaint against Dadan over alleged budget irregularities. Last year, Dadan informed the House of Representatives (DPR) that the MBG programme was responsible for at least 11,000 cases of food poisoning, with over 600 people hospitalised.