ICW Reports BGN Chief and Deputy to Ombudsman Over Concurrent BUMN Positions
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has reported the Head and Deputy Heads of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia over alleged maladministration involving concurrent positions in state-owned enterprises (BUMN). The report was filed amid scrutiny of the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme following the revelation of a corruption case within the programme.
ICW researcher Wana Alamsyah assessed that the government has yet to demonstrate serious steps to improve the governance of the MBG, even though the programme has been hit by legal issues. According to him, one indicator of weak reform is the placement of BGN leaders who still hold concurrent positions in BUMN.
“After the revelation of corruption in the Free Nutritious Meal programme, President Prabowo Subianto has not shown serious steps to improve MBG governance. This is reflected in the appointment of National Nutrition Agency leaders who still hold concurrent positions in BUMN,” Wana said in a statement on Saturday (2/7).
ICW stated that all current top leaders of the BGN hold dual positions simultaneously. BGN Head Dadan Hindayana is recorded as concurrently serving as President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero). Meanwhile, Agustina Arumsari, Deputy Head of BGN, also serves as Deputy President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga. Deputy Head of BGN Trenggono concurrently holds the position of Deputy President Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara.
According to ICW, this practice potentially violates Article 17 letter a of Law Number 25 of 2009 concerning Public Services, which prohibits public service implementers from concurrently serving as commissioners or management of business organisations for implementers originating from government agencies, BUMN, or BUMD.
Furthermore, Wana emphasised that the Head and Deputy Heads of BGN fall into the category of public service implementers because BGN is the direct organiser of the MBG Programme.
“If the government refuses to stop the problematic MBG programme, then governance reform must be a priority, including ensuring that BGN leaders can carry out their duties fully and free from conflicts of interest,” Wana said.
ICW also highlighted the legal consequences of the alleged violation. In Article 54 paragraph (5) of the Public Service Law, implementers who violate the prohibition on concurrent positions may be subject to sanctions of dismissal from their positions.
Furthermore, ICW assessed that the concurrent positions of BGN leaders also potentially contradict the constitution and Article 23 of Law Number 39 of 2008 concerning State Ministries, especially after Constitutional Court Decision Number 128/PUU-XXIII/2025 affirmed that ministers and deputy ministers are prohibited from holding concurrent positions as commissioners or directors in state or private companies.
“The Head of BGN holds a ministerial-level position, is appointed and dismissed directly by the President, and receives facilities equivalent to ministers and deputy ministers, so there is no constitutional reason to treat them differently,” Wana said.
On that basis, ICW requested the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia to follow up on the report of alleged maladministration and issue a recommendation to the President to dismiss officials holding concurrent positions. ICW also criticised President Prabowo Subianto for allegedly allowing this practice to continue within the BGN.
“Allowing BGN leaders to hold concurrent positions demonstrates the government’s weak commitment to improving governance after the revelation of corruption in the MBG Programme. Instead of conducting a thorough evaluation or stopping the programme, the government is actually maintaining conditions that open up space for conflicts of interest, abuse of authority, and reduce the focus of officials in carrying out their duties,” Wana said.