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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Coalition Gives Nutrition Agency 30 Days to Fix Governance Amid Corruption Allegations

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • MBG Watch has given the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) 30 days to halt its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program and conduct a total governance evaluation.
  • The coalition criticizes the MBG program for lacking regulations after 10 months, highlighting risks of corruption and conflicts of interest.
  • MBG Watch demands the program be audited, its governance improved, and beneficiaries redirected to poverty-stricken areas, with a threat of larger protests if improvements are not made.

An Indonesian coalition, MBG Watch, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to temporarily suspend its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program and undertake a comprehensive governance review. The group staged a symbolic protest, sealing the BGN building in Central Jakarta.

We give BGN a 30-day pause to fix all governance.

— Agus SarwonoAgus Sarwono, a member of MBG Watch, stated the timeframe given to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to improve its governance.

Agus Sarwono, a member of MBG Watch, stated that during the suspension, the BGN must rectify its governance issues. "We give BGN a 30-day pause to fix all governance," he said. The coalition warns of further, larger-scale protests if the BGN fails to implement necessary improvements within the given timeframe.

The coalition argues that the MBG program was designed for failure, pointing to its operation without regulations for 10 months since its launch on October 31, 2025. "We also highlight the very large risk of corruption," Agus Sarwono added, also noting potential conflicts of interest. He urged the government to ensure the program's benefits reach targeted communities in poverty-stricken and stunting-prone areas.

We will come here again with a much larger mass.

— Agus SarwonoAgus Sarwono warned of future actions if the BGN fails to make improvements within the 30-day period.

Tempo has attempted to contact the new BGN Head, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, who was inaugurated on June 8, 2026, replacing Dadan Hindayana. Hindayana, along with Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, were previously named suspects in a corruption case related to the MBG program. The Attorney General's Office has charged the three with alleged corruption and mismanagement of the MBG program between 2025 and 2026, citing sufficient evidence under the Criminal Code.

We also highlight the very large risk of corruption.

— Agus SarwonoAgus Sarwono pointed out concerns regarding corruption within the MBG program.

Newly appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang expressed her commitment to financial prudence in managing the MBG budget. She stated that financial discipline would be supported by the newly appointed Deputy Head, Agustina Arumsari, who has experience at the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency. "I will not make any decisions regarding the expenditure of money if Mrs. Arumsari does not agree," Nanik declared.

There is also still a loophole for conflict of interest.

— Agus SarwonoAgus Sarwono identified potential conflicts of interest within the program's structure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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