New National Nutrition Agency Leadership Appointed Amidst Operational Disruptions in Free Nutritious Meal Programme

President Prabowo Subianto has officially inaugurated the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) at the State Palace in Jakarta. The newly appointed officials include Nanik S. Deyang as Head of the BGN, alongside Agustina Arumsundari and Retired Major General Trenggono as Deputy Heads. The new leadership has been mandated to overhaul the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

Simultaneously, reports have emerged from several regions regarding the closure of various Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), which serve as partners for the MBG programme. In Brebes Regency, Central Java, 50 SPPG units have ceased operations as of early June 2026. The National Nutrition Agency has clarified that these closures are not related to food poisoning outbreaks or health emergencies, but are strictly due to administrative budget constraints and the enforcement of kitchen facility standards.

Arya Dewa Nugroho, the BGN Regional Coordinator for Brebes, stated that of the 50 halted units, 31 are struggling because central government operational funds have not yet been disbursed. This delay is attributed to administrative bottlenecks at the central level involving the Commitment Making Officer (PPK). Meanwhile, 19 other units have been temporarily suspended following inspections that revealed facilities failing to meet mandatory nutritional quality standards. Although operators were given two weeks to implement improvements, a lack of significant progress led to the suspension.

The disruption has directly impacted thousands of students in Brebes. At SMP Negeri 1 Brebes, for instance, 734 students were unable to receive their meal packages on the first day of the programme’s suspension. School officials and students have expressed hope that the administrative and operational issues will be resolved swiftly to ensure the programme can resume its vital role in nutritional support.