Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as chief of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency, overseeing President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program, due to health reasons. This marks the second leadership change in over a month amid budget cuts and a criminal probe into the program.
Indonesia's "Free Nutritious Meals" program, launched in 2025 by President Prabowo Subianto, is embroiled in a major corruption scandal. Allegations of graft and mismanagement plague the $15bn initiative, with officials arresting several individuals, including the head of the National Nutrition Agency, for alleged procurement fraud. Critics argue the program is too large, costly, and prone to corruption, despite its aims to combat child stunting and stimulate the economy.
Indonesian President Prabowo acknowledged violations within a billion-dollar school nutrition program aimed at eradicating malnutrition. He stated he was forced to replace trusted individuals and warned the initiative should not be used for self-enrichment, amid public sarcasm on social media.
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed Dadan Hindayana, head of the National Nutrition Agency, due to mass food poisonings and corruption allegations linked to the flagship free meals program. Tens of thousands of children have fallen ill.
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed Dadan Hindayana, head of the National Nutrition Agency, due to mass food poisonings and corruption allegations linked to the flagship free meals program. Tens of thousands of children have fallen ill, and the program faces scrutiny over its cost and budget inconsistencies.
