Humaniora weekly roundup: BGN leadership change to National Children's Day
A number of interesting humaniora events occurred this week, ranging from the leadership change at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to the commemoration of National Children’s Day.
Nanik S Deyang has submitted her resignation as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) due to health reasons, as confirmed by the President’s Special Assistant for Communication and Policy, Dirgayuza Setiawan. ‘Today, Mrs Nanik Deyang bid farewell to President Prabowo to undergo heart treatment and simultaneously resign as Head of the National Nutrition Agency,’ Yuza said.
The new Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, asserted that he will shut down kitchens providing the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) that do not meet standards after being given the opportunity to make improvements. ‘We will screen which ones are lacking, we will order them to improve immediately. If they cannot be ordered to improve, cannot do it, we will close them. So we are also firm, but on the other hand we also appreciate the efforts that have been made by all our colleagues,’ Sudaryono said.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has proposed to the government the establishment of a ‘Sharia Danantara’ to consolidate all the potential of the Islamic economy and finance in Indonesia, which is considered to still be operating in silos. MUI Deputy Chairman Muhammad Cholil Nafis explained that the Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara) agency currently exists to consolidate all national economic strength. However, he regretted that there is no special vehicle within Danantara tasked with consolidating the Islamic finance ecosystem. ‘We want there to be something that consolidates this economy. When it is consolidated, the strength will be great, the cost of funds in the business process will be cheaper, and its strength can work on larger projects,’ he said.
Commemorating National Children’s Day (HAN) 2026, House of Representatives (DPR RI) Speaker Puan Maharani stressed that every Indonesian child has the same right to grow up in a safe space and also emphasised the importance of children being free from bullying. According to her, the National Children’s Day moment must serve as a reminder that the nation’s future is being shaped through the lives of millions of Indonesian children today. ‘All Indonesian children have the right to grow up healthy, receive a proper education, live in a safe environment, and develop their best potential without being limited by their family’s economic conditions or where they were born,’ Puan said.
For HAN 2026, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) invited the public to re-encourage children to play physical games and reduce the use of gadgets, as part of the spirit of commemorating this year’s National Children’s Day (HAN). Director of Early Childhood Education (PAUD) at Kemendikdasmen, Kurniawan, conveyed that the HAN 2026 commemoration is not merely ceremonial, but a moment to unite the determination of all stakeholders in providing an environment that supports children’s growth and development. ‘Fulfilling children’s rights and protection cannot be done alone. Cross-sector cooperation is needed so that every child is truly protected, educated, and grows up in a healthy environment,’ Kurniawan said.