Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday unexpectedly removed Dadan Hindayana as head of the National Nutrition Agency, or BGN, only hours after the two appeared together to inspect the implementation of the government’s free nutritious meals program at a school in Jakarta.

Prabowo appointed longtime ally Nanik Deyang, who previously served as deputy head of the agency, to replace Dadan.

Two other senior officials at the agency, deputy heads Lodewijk Paulus and Saudara Sony Sanjaya, were also removed from their positions, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi announced at the Presidential Palace.

“We thank them for their hard work and dedication in building the foundations and developing the National Nutrition Agency,” Prasetyo said.

He noted that the agency plays a highly strategic role in supporting the government’s efforts to improve public nutrition.

“This task requires strong governance, effective cross-sector coordination, and leadership capable of ensuring that all programs are implemented accurately, on schedule, and in accordance with principles of accountability,” Prasetyo said.

He added that the president had continued to receive feedback from ministries and government agencies as well as from the public regarding the implementation of the free nutritious meals program, one of the agency’s primary responsibilities and a cornerstone of Prabowo’s presidential campaign.

Nanik will be supported by Agustina Arum Sari and Major General Trenggono as deputy heads of the agency.

“We expect the new leadership of the National Nutrition Agency to immediately undertake internal consolidation, strengthen coordination across ministries and agencies, enhance cooperation with provincial, regency, and municipal governments, and ensure that all agency programs continue to run effectively,” Prasetyo said.

The National Nutrition Agency is responsible for implementing Indonesia’s flagship free nutritious meals program, one of the most ambitious social initiatives launched under Prabowo’s administration. The program, which has so far covered over 60 million beneficiaries, aims to improve child nutrition and human capital development through the provision of free meals to students and other targeted groups nationwide.