Sudaryono to Lead BGN, Gibran: I Trust His Experience

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is optimistic about the appointment of Sudaryono as the new Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). He stated that the Gerindra Party cadre’s experience as Deputy Minister of Agriculture could improve the management of the free nutritious meal (MBG) project. “I trust in Mr Sudaryono’s experience as Deputy Minister of Agriculture who has overseen food security,” Gibran said in an official statement on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. He added that the new leadership is supported by a strong commitment from the ranks of the programme’s implementing agency. According to him, this will allow the priority programme to be implemented with more transparent and targeted governance. “So that every rupiah can be accounted for and provide real benefits for improving the nutrition of Indonesian children,” said the eldest son of former president Joko Widodo. Gibran also offered prayers for the recovery of Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, hoping the former BGN head’s medical treatment proceeds smoothly. The Vice President also voiced support for focusing the MBG project on disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. This includes involving MSMEs, school canteens, and parents in the implementation of the meal distribution programme. “We want the MBG, as one of the President’s priority programmes, to run with neater, more measurable management and be free from corrupt practices,” Gibran stated. Previously, Nanik S. Deyang announced her resignation as Head of BGN via her Facebook social media account, citing health issues and a desire to focus on heart treatment. President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Sudaryono as Head of BGN, replacing Nanik, on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said one consideration for appointing Sudaryono was his involvement with the free nutritious meal programme run by BGN from the beginning. Sudaryono is known as a figure who has long been in Prabowo’s inner circle. “He has been following and together with us discussing, initiating, and conceptualising the technical implementation of the nutritious meal programme from the start,” said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace. As an official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Sudaryono is also considered to have played a role in the running of the MBG programme. Prasetyo stated that his duties at the ministry are closely related to the distribution of nutritious meals. According to Prasetyo, the Ministry of Agriculture is a crucial pillar in the supply chain of raw materials for the MBG programme. “It has been supported and made into an ecosystem by the Ministry of Agriculture, where Mr Sudaryono serves,” he said.