Nanik Steps Down as BGN Head Citing Health, Remains Pertamina Commissioner

Jakarta, VIVA – Nanik S Deyang has officially resigned as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) on health grounds. The decision was taken after she suffered a heart condition and plans to seek treatment abroad.

Nanik had led the BGN for only about one and a half months, having been inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto on 8 June 2026 at the State Palace in Jakarta. Her resignation was announced through her personal Facebook account on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

In her post, Nanik said she had personally conveyed her wish to President Prabowo to step down in order to focus on her recovery.

“I told the President, with a thousand apologies, that it seems I must step down as Head of the BGN, for the sake of my health,” Nanik wrote.

She said President Prabowo accepted the decision out of concern for her health condition. Nevertheless, Nanik was asked to remain involved in overseeing the running of the BGN.

“Because the President was concerned and sympathetic towards me, he approved it, but I was asked to continue helping to monitor the BGN,” she said.

Nanik admitted that leaving the post was not an easy decision. On the same day, she departed abroad for further medical examinations.

According to her, the move was not due to any lack of faith in Indonesia’s doctors, but rather to obtain a second medical opinion.

“This is not because I don’t trust the excellent doctors in Indonesia, but for a second opinion, and it happens that a friend recommended the place I am going to,” she said.

Amid her resignation from the BGN, Nanik remains registered as Independent Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero). She has held that position since 12 June 2025, based on a decree from the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, to strengthen oversight functions and the implementation of good corporate governance.

Earlier, Nanik revealed that her doctors’ examinations showed a blockage in her heart arteries. She cited high cholesterol and work pressure during her time leading the BGN as factors that triggered her condition.

“According to my doctor, there is a blockage in my heart arteries which, besides being caused by high cholesterol, was also triggered by extraordinary stress,” Nanik wrote.

She said the greatest pressure came from the responsibility of managing large amounts of state budget funds. For that reason, she never signed important documents herself; they were always examined and countersigned by two deputy heads.