President Prabowo Warns Against Corruption in Free Meal Program Amidst Suspect Naming

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a stern warning against the "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) program being exploited for personal gain, stating that it must not become a means for a few individuals to enrich themselves. Speaking to thousands of school principals and program partners in Bogor, Prabowo declared, "It must not become a tool to enrich certain individuals. Food is the easiest thing to corrupt."

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It must not become a tool to enrich certain individuals. Food is the easiest thing to corrupt.

Prabowo underscored the program's importance, emphasizing that it is specifically designed for the benefit of the underprivileged. His remarks were made concurrently with the naming of three former leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as suspects in a corruption case. The Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) has identified the suspects as former BGN Chief Dadan Hindayana, and two Deputy Chiefs, Lodewyk Pusung and Sonny Sonjaya.

The corruption charges are related to alleged irregularities in the management of the MBG program for the years 2025-2026. According to the Director of Investigation for Special Crimes at the Attorney General's Office, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, the suspects are accused of inflating prices (mark-up) in the procurement of various goods. These include electric motorcycles, shoes, and tablets, with procurement values reaching significant amounts, such as approximately Rp1 trillion for 21,801 electric motorcycles.

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After a series of examinations of the suspects DH, SS, and LP based on sufficient evidence, investigators have named DH, SS, and LP as suspects.

The investigation also involves allegations of non-compliance with regulations in the procurement of shoes and tablets, as well as the purchase of 5,400 75-inch televisions that did not meet specified standards and involved mark-ups. The President's warning highlights the government's commitment to ensuring the integrity of social welfare programs and preventing their misuse for corrupt practices.

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The procurement of 21,801 electric motorcycles with a total procurement of around Rp1 trillion, the procurement of 32,000 pairs of shoes that did not comply with regulations and involved mark-ups, the procurement of over 31,000 tablets that did not comply with regulations and involved mark-ups, and the procurement of 5,400 75-inch TVs that did not comply with regulations and involved mark-ups.