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View all search resultsPrabowo fires free meal agency chief after suggesting Saudi rollout
Just days before his removal, former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana had proposed expanding the free meal program to Saudi Arabia, following his recent visit to the country.
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Dadan Hindayana, then head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), reacts as ministers, agency representatives, and stakeholders attend a coordination meeting on the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) at the Coordinating Ministry for Food in Jakarta on March 3, 2025. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
P
resident Prabowo Subianto removed on Tuesday National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana, ending almost two years of struggles in running a nationwide free meal program that has been blighted by mass food poisonings and allegations of budget misuse.
The much-hyped billion-dollar scheme was the flagship policy of Prabowo's 2024 election campaign.
The government says it has provided meals to more than 61 million people by March, but tens of thousands of people have fallen ill since the program was launched in January last year.
Just days before his removal, Dadan had proposed expanding the free meal program to Saudi Arabia, following his recent visit to the country.
"The President has decided to make changes to the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency," State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta, citing food quality among various concerns behind the move.
Read also: Free meals program heads overseas despite mounting concerns at home
Critics have called for the program to be suspended over hygiene concerns and accusations of corruption.
