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View all search resultsFree meals agency halts new kitchens, resets budget after graft shake-up
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Workers prepare meals under the free nutritious meal program at the Samarinda Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Samarinda Ulu, East Kalimantan, on Nov. 4, 2025. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)
T
he newly appointed National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head has pledged sweeping efficiency measures and a moratorium on new kitchens, signaling a major reset of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meal program following a corruption scandal.
The agency will temporarily halt approvals for new nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs), the kitchens responsible for preparing meals under the program, while reviewing spending and reassessing how many facilities are needed across regions, BGN head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang told a press conference on Thursday.
“The main thing we have discussed and prepared a work plan for is budget efficiency,” Nanik told reporters.
Nanik, previously the agency’s deputy head, replaced Dadan Hindayana after President Prabowo removed him and two deputies, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, with prosecutors later detaining all three as suspects in a corruption probe tied to the program.
Investigators have alleged that the three former officials approved ineligible foundations linked to agency insiders through manipulated verification processes and influenced procurement plans for goods, including electric motorcycles, shoes and televisions, that allegedly did not reflect operational needs and were overpriced, resulting in state losses.
Read also: Indonesia opens corruption probe into large-scale free meals program
The program’s rollout has faced public scrutiny over food poisoning incidents, operational shortcomings and allegations of budget misuse, adding pressure on the government to tighten oversight and spending.
