Indonesia Nutrition Agency Chief steps down over health

“Today, Madam Nanik Deyang bade farewell to President Prabowo to undergo heart treatment while stepping down from her leadership role at the National Nutrition Agency,” presidential special assistant Dirgayuza Setiawan said in a statement on Wednesday.

Deyang’s departure comes after a brief but intensive six-week tenure as chief of the agency.

Deyang had assumed leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) following a high-profile corruption crackdown that ousted former chief Dadan Hindayana and several senior officials over allegations of fund misappropriation within the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

During her time in office, she led a major overhaul of the MBG infrastructure—evaluating nearly 28,000 community kitchens nationwide, establishing quality tiers for 3,000 facilities, and halting expansion in oversaturated regions.

Dirgayuza noted that Deyang’s reform initiatives saved hundreds of billions of rupiah by taking action against 414 problematic kitchens, forming 11 internal reform teams, and refocusing the national food initiative toward vulnerable populations.

In a social media post, Deyang expressed gratitude to the president for accepting her resignation and indicated that she may continue in an advisory capacity.

“I have extended my deepest apology to the president for having to step down… Out of concern and empathy, he accepted my resignation but asked me to continue overseeing the agency,” Deyang wrote, adding that Prabowo may establish a BGN supervisory board with her serving as chair.

Translator: Prisca Triferna, Tegar Nurfitra