Indonesia arrests officials over alleged corruption in free meals programme

Indonesian authorities have arrested Dadan Hindayana, the recently dismissed head of the National Nutrition Agency, along with two other former officials. The arrests are linked to alleged corruption within President Prabowo Subianto's flagship free meals program. The agency's offices were placed under lockdown following a raid.

Hindayana was apprehended by Indonesia's Attorney General's Office (AGO) on charges of causing state losses and personal enrichment. If convicted, he faces a potential 20-year prison sentence. Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, an AGO official, stated that Hindayana is suspected of influencing the selection of foundations to manage the program's kitchens, despite them not meeting required standards. He allegedly owned these foundations through external parties. Additionally, Hindayana is accused of inflating procurement costs for items such as electric motorbikes, shoes, and televisions.

The ambitious free meals program was a central pledge in Prabowo's 2024 presidential campaign. The government has allocated a budget of at least $15 billion to provide free meals to 83 million children and pregnant women across the archipelago. The program has faced increasing scrutiny since its launch in January 2025, with concerns raised by investors regarding Prabowo's substantial spending plans and potential challenges to fiscal deficit thresholds.

Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, reported that AGO personnel raided the agency's building early Wednesday morning. Employees were denied entry until Wednesday afternoon. The agency has stated its respect for the ongoing legal process and its commitment to transparently executing the free meals program. Hindayana's dismissal was reportedly linked to governance and food quality issues.

“

Dadan was named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to the governance of the free meals programme. Dadan allegedly influenced the selection of several foundations managing the programme's kitchens even though they had not met standards, Syarief said, adding that he owned those foundations through external parties. He was also allegedly involved in the marked up procurement of items including more than 21,000 electric motorbikes, 32,000 pairs of shoes, and 5,400 televisions.