Palace Addresses Allegations of Bribery in Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen Locations: Under Audit
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that allegations regarding the alleged buying and selling of service unit points for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme—specifically the nutrition service units (SPPG) or ‘free nutritious kitchens’—are currently undergoing an internal audit. Prasetyo noted that this response addresses questions regarding the link between these alleged bribery practices and the recent dismissal of three top officials from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“Everything is currently in the process of an internal audit. This is part of, once again, the continuous monitoring and evaluation that we conduct,” said Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 2 June 2026.
President Prabowo Subianto has decided to appoint Nanik Sudaryati Deyang as the Head of the BGN, replacing Dadan Hindayana. Meanwhile, the two deputy positions previously held by Inspector General (Ret.) Sony Sanjaya and Lieutenant General (Ret.) Lodewyk Pusung are now occupied by Agustina Arumsari and Major General (Ret.) Trenggono.
The Presidential Palace claims that the leadership changes within the BGN were implemented to strengthen organisational performance and accelerate the execution of various priority programmes. Prasetyo Hadi stated that President Prabowo’s decision to restructure the BGN leadership was based on evaluation results from the past 1.5 years.
According to Prasetyo, President Prabowo personally monitors and evaluates the performance of the entire ‘Red and White Cabinet’, including the National Nutrition Agency. During this evaluation process, Prabowo received input from various parties, including ministries and the public, who are the intended beneficiaries of the MBG project.
Prasetyo noted that there were several observations regarding the BGN’s performance that influenced the Head of State’s decision. One of these concerns matters of discipline in adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
“There are also issues regarding discipline in governance, including the discipline required to maintain the quality of food that should have been established by the National Nutrition Agency,” he added.
The Gerindra Party politician remarked that the change in BGN leadership is expected to address these issues. Prasetyo reminded that the National Nutrition Agency plays a strategic role in supporting the government’s agenda to improve public nutritional quality.
The Presidential Palace subsequently urged the three new BGN leaders—Nanik, Agustina, and Trenggono—to immediately undertake internal consolidation and strengthen cross-ministerial and inter-agency coordination.
“As well as strengthening coordination with local governments, both at the provincial and regency/city levels, and ensuring that all BGN programmes can continue to run as effectively as possible,” Prastyo said.
Previously, on 5 May 2026, the Chief of Staff to the President, Dudung Abdurachman, highlighted corruption loopholes in the implementation of President Prabowo’s flagship MBG project. Dudung made these remarks following a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Agus Joko Pramono, at the Presidential Palace complex.
Dudung stated that the Presidential Staff Office would conduct spot inspections alongside cross-ministerial teams to ensure the MBG programme adheres to regulations. He mentioned that one of the potential loopholes being anticipated relates to the alleged buying and selling of kitchen locations. “One of them, I have received information regarding the buying and selling of points. Yes, that exists, specifically the SPPG points,” Dudung said at the time.