Jakarta. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) says it will prioritize efficiency and stronger governance in implementing the government’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, following a sudden leadership shake-up ordered by President Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo on Tuesday unexpectedly removed BGN head Dadan Hindayana, just hours after both men inspected the program at a school in Jakarta. He appointed longtime ally Nanik S. Deyang, previously deputy head of the agency, as the new chief. Nanik will be supported by Agustina Arumsari and Maj. Gen. Trenggono as deputy heads.

Two deputy heads, Lodewijk Paulus and Sony Sanjaya, were also dismissed. They were later detained by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Wednesday after being named suspects in an alleged corruption case linked to the MBG program during their tenure at BGN. The three officials will remain in custody for the next 20 days as prosecutors investigate alleged irregularities in the program’s management and procurement processes.

Following the leadership transition, Nanik said the agency would intensify efficiency measures, including a shift in focus from expanding beneficiary numbers to improving service quality and governance.

“We hope to still reduce the budget further without reducing targets. We will continue efficiency measures across various areas,” she said. The MBG budget has been trimmed to Rp 268 trillion from an initial Rp 335 trillion.

Rather than pursuing a target of 82 million beneficiaries, the agency said it will prioritize ensuring that meal production facilities meet quality standards.

“We may not pursue 82 million recipients, but instead ensure the kitchens are healthy and provide nutritious meals,” Nanik said.

As part of the restructuring, BGN outlined four main steps: refocusing beneficiaries, imposing a moratorium on new kitchen construction, upgrading existing facilities and staff training, and strengthening delivery in remote and frontier regions.

In the underdeveloped and outermost areas, the agency plans to use alternative delivery models such as school canteens and community kitchens to reduce infrastructure costs. Priority will be given to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

“We don’t have to build new kitchens. We can use existing facilities like school canteens,” Nanik said.

Deputy head Agustina Arumsari said reforms would also focus on stronger internal controls, improved data integration, and more systematic monitoring to ensure accountability.

The Free Nutritious Meals program remains one of Prabowo’s flagship policies, aimed at reducing stunting and strengthening Indonesia’s long-term human capital development.

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