ICW: Dismissing and Detaining BGN Head is Not Enough, Alleged Corruption in MBG Must be Fully Investigated
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) assesses that the dismissal and detention of the former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has not resolved the fundamental issues in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. ICW emphasises that such steps will be insufficient if the government and law enforcement agencies fail to uncover broader alleged irregularities behind the project.
In its statement, ICW asserted that the legal process against BGN officials must be respected and investigated thoroughly. “Law enforcement agencies must fully investigate the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) project. Furthermore, law enforcement must work professionally and independently,” ICW wrote in its statement on Wednesday.
Additionally, ICW requested that the investigation should not stop at the criminal offences currently being processed. According to the watchdog, law enforcement needs to trace other potential irregularities, including conflicts of interest in the appointment of implementing partners and the procurement of goods and services within the MBG project.
The anti-corruption agency also believes that the investigation should not only target the Head and Deputy Head of the BGN. All parties suspected of involvement in the alleged violations of the MBG project must be examined.
Beyond pushing for legal prosecution, ICW urged the government to open all documents, contracts, and information related to the implementation of the MBG programme to the public. Transparency is considered vital so that the community can monitor the use of the state budget.
ICW also warned against any intervention in the ongoing legal process. They noted that the change in BGN leadership could potentially reveal attempts to protect political interests if not accompanied by comprehensive reforms. “The issue of MBG is not just about governance, but about a policy being used as a political tool to strengthen or expand support for the Prabowo-Gibran administration,” ICW stated.
Furthermore, ICW argued that replacing the Head of the BGN with a figure considered close to the government’s political camp would not solve the fundamental problems of the MBG programme.
Moving further, ICW explicitly called for the MBG programme to be halted and the BGN to be dissolved. They requested that the programme’s budget be reallocated to other policies deemed more beneficial to the public. “The MBG needs to be stopped. The government must halt the MBG programme alongside the dissolution of the BGN,” ICW concluded.
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has officially named the former Head of the BGN, Dadan Hindayana, and two of his deputies as suspects in the corruption case related to the 2025-2026 MBG programme budget, specifically concerning the appointment of affiliated foundations as partners.