The Fate of Dadan Hindayana: Removed from Office Following Hajj Pilgrimage

President Prabowo Subianto removed Dadan Hindayana from his position as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. This decision marks the end of Dadan’s tenure after approximately one and a half years leading the agency responsible for implementing the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

In addition to Dadan, two Deputy Heads of the BGN, Lodewick Pusung and Soni Sanjaya, were also dismissed from their posts. President Prabowo subsequently appointed Nanik S. Deyang as the new Head of the BGN, while the deputy positions have been entrusted to Agustina Arumsari and Major General TNI Trenggono.

The decision was made after President Prabowo conducted a performance assessment of the agency, focusing on governance and compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP). The Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, stated that the decision resulted from a comprehensive government evaluation of the BGN.

“Therefore, today, Tuesday, 2 June 2026, the President has made the decision to change the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency,” Prasetyo said at the State Palace on Tuesday night.

Prasetyo explained that several aspects were under scrutiny during the evaluation, including the technical implementation of programmes in the field. “There are matters concerning discipline in following SOPs,” he added.

The leadership change at the BGN occurred only days after Dadan Hindayana completed his Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Alongside his wife, he travelled via the regular Hajj route after waiting approximately 12 years since registering in 2014.

While in Saudi Arabia, Dadan also visited the Indonesian School in Jeddah. During the visit, he proposed that the Free Nutritious Meal programme be implemented for the children of Indonesian migrant workers abroad. He noted that this proposal has been submitted to President Prabowo for consideration.

“If approved by the President, this will serve as the first pilot project for the MBG programme overseas,” he said.

After completing the Hajj rituals, Dadan returned to Indonesia on Monday night, 1 June 2026, as part of the first wave of pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.