Cibinong, West Java. President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday warned thousands of partners involved in Indonesia’s free nutritious meals program to work honestly and avoid corruption amid the dramatic dismissal and subsequent detention of the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

The warning came a day after former BGN chief Dadan Hindayana and his two deputies were removed from office and later detained by prosecutors over alleged corruption linked to the implementation of the government’s flagship nutrition initiative.

Prabowo has made the free nutritious meals program a central pillar of his administration since campaigning in the 2024 presidential election, presenting it as a key strategy to combat Indonesia’s chronic child stunting problem.

Amid the unfolding controversy, Prabowo led a national consolidation meeting for the program at the Sentul International Convention Center in Cibinong, West Java, attended by thousands of implementation partners.

“I was informed that 5,000 partners are present here today. Raise your hands, partners -- I want to see your faces. Raise your hands if you are confident that you are working honestly,” Prabowo said in his speech.

His remarks came amid allegations that some implementation partners were required to pay state officials in order to secure program-related contracts.

Prabowo issued a stern warning to individuals still involved in violations, urging them to return to lawful conduct.

“My brothers and sisters, if any of you as partners have violated the rules, I am giving you an opportunity -- return to the right path. If you admit your mistakes quickly, God willing, you will be safe,” he said.

The president stressed that the government has the capacity to detect irregularities in the implementation of the program and warned all parties against seeking personal gain.

As part of the government’s response, Prabowo said he was prepared to strengthen supervisory institutions and law enforcement agencies overseeing the program.

“I do not want our country to be humiliated, and I do not want the government to lose respect. I do not want the people’s money to be stolen. There will be no exceptions,” Prabowo said.

The free nutritious meals program has come under increasing scrutiny following allegations of misconduct involving three former National Nutrition Agency leaders: Dadan Hindayana, Lodewyk Pusung, and Sony Sanjaya.

On Wednesday night, the Attorney General’s Office detained the three officials after they had been dismissed by Prabowo.

Only hours before his removal, Dadan had accompanied Prabowo during an inspection of the free meals program at a school in Jakarta.

Dadan was replaced by Nanik Deyang, a longtime ally of the president who previously served as deputy head of the National Nutrition Agency.