Jakarta. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has dismissed 261 non-civil servant employees and disciplined 48 civil servants as part of a sweeping effort by its new chief, Sudaryono, to tighten governance following a high-profile corruption scandal that rocked the agency.

Speaking at BGN headquarters in Jakarta on Monday, Sudaryono said the disciplinary action targeted employees accused of violating workplace rules, including involvement in online gambling, financial misconduct and repeated disciplinary offenses.

"As of today, July 27, we are carrying out a cleanup. Those who violated the rules have been sanctioned," Sudaryono said.

The dismissals include 224 contract employees and 37 expert staff members. In addition, 48 civil servants and government contract employees received disciplinary sanctions, with 39 facing minor penalties and nine accused of serious violations.

Sudaryono said the nine employees found to have committed serious misconduct are likely to face dismissal.

"They committed serious disciplinary violations. Most likely they will be processed for termination," he said.

Sanctions range from transfers and demotions to administrative penalties and formal warnings.

According to Sudaryono, the alleged violations include participation in online gambling, repeated absenteeism and suspected embezzlement.

"Some were involved in online gambling, some were undisciplined, and others are suspected of stealing money. Don't think that stealing a small amount will go unnoticed. Information spreads quickly now. Someone sends us a WhatsApp message, we investigate, and the person admits it," he said.

Sudaryono said the disciplinary measures were necessary to protect the agency's integrity and the majority of employees who have carried out their duties responsibly.

"To protect the many good employees, those who tarnish the institution's reputation must be punished," he said.

The personnel shake-up comes less than a week after President Prabowo Subianto appointed Sudaryono, who also serves as deputy agriculture minister, to lead the agency following the resignation of Nanik Deyang after just 45 days in office.

Sudaryono is the third head of the National Nutrition Agency in less than two months as the institution undergoes a major restructuring aimed at restoring public confidence and strengthening oversight of the government's flagship Free Nutritious Meals program.

The agency has been under intense scrutiny since early June, when Prabowo dismissed then-chief Dadan Hindayana and his two deputies. All three were later named corruption suspects by the Attorney General's Office as part of an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities.

The National Nutrition Agency is responsible for implementing the government's nationwide Free Nutritious Meals program, one of Prabowo's signature policies, which is expected to eventually serve more than 80 million beneficiaries across Indonesia.

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