Indonesian President Sacks Head of Free Meal Scheme Amid Poisoning and Corruption Claims

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed the head of the National Nutrition Agency, the body overseeing his signature free school meals program. The decision comes amid significant concerns about mass food poisonings and allegations of corruption plaguing the multi-billion dollar initiative.

The flagship policy of Prabowo's 2024 election campaign, the program aimed to provide meals to over 61 million people by March. However, tens of thousands have fallen ill since its January 2023 launch. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi cited food quality as one of several concerns prompting the leadership change, assuring that agency operations would continue during the ongoing evaluation.

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The president has decided to make changes to the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency.

Dadan Hindayana, the agency head since its inception, was replaced by his deputy, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang. Hindayana had previously informed parliament that the program was linked to at least 11,000 poisoning cases, hospitalizing over 600 people. An anti-graft watchdog also filed a complaint against him for alleged budget irregularities.

President Prabowo has acknowledged the program's issues and pledged to hold those responsible accountable. The initiative seeks to combat severe malnutrition, which affects over 20 percent of Indonesian children. The government had hoped to provide meals to nearly a third of the nation's population, but the program's challenges have emerged as a significant concern.

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The government will continue to ensure that throughout the ongoing evaluation process, all programmes of the National Nutrition Agency will continue to run as they should.