Prabowo Expresses Sorrow Over Removal of Trusted Officials Amid Corruption Probe
President Prabowo Subianto has made several statements following the designation of the former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, along with two former deputy heads, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, as suspects in an alleged corruption case involving the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme by the Attorney General’s Office.
During his address at the ‘Building Indonesia’s Future Generations Through Nutrition’ event at the Sentul International Convention Centre (SICC), Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (3/6), Prabowo admitted to feeling saddened by the case involving individuals he had previously trusted to lead this priority government programme.
Prabendo stated that the decision to remove Dadan, Sony, and Lodewyk from the leadership of the BGN was not an easy one, noting that all three were individuals he had entrusted with significant national duties. “In truth, I am sad today. I cannot hide that I am in a state of sadness. Because I was forced to replace people whom I actually care for, people I trusted, and people to whom I gave very heavy duties for the state,” Prabowo said.
Despite his personal feelings, he stated he would not comment extensively on the ongoing legal process to avoid appearing to influence the investigation. Prabowo revealed that he had received reports regarding alleged irregularities within the BGN some time ago, which he subsequently followed up by requesting verification from several state institutions, including the BPKP (Financial and Development Controller Agency) and PPATK (Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre).
He maintained that the decision to dismiss the officials was made after considering the interests of the people above all else, citing the advice of his late father, the economist Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, to always side with the people during times of uncertainty. The President admitted the weight of signing the decision to replace the BGN leadership, noting that these were individuals he had personally appointed and honoured.
Furthermore, Prabowo issued a stern warning to all partners involved in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal programme not to attempt to seek illicit profits. He reminded them that the state possesses the oversight and law enforcement instruments necessary to penalise any deviations. “If you feel you can be smarter than the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), then just try it,” Prabowo warned.
He urged all partners to return to the correct path and fulfil their mandates, asserting that the government would not hesitate to strengthen the roles of oversight bodies and law enforcement agencies. He emphasised that the Free Nutritious Meal programme must serve the public interest and must not become a means to enrich a few individuals, stating, “Food is a sacred issue. Food for the poor must not become a means to enrich certain parties. Food is the easiest thing to corrupt.”
Prabowo concluded by ensuring there would be zero tolerance for anyone proven to have misappropriated state funds, regardless of their proximity to him or the level of trust previously placed in them.