President Prabowo Warns Corrupt Partners in Nutrition Program: 'Try Me If You Think You're Smarter'

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issued a stern warning to partners involved in the government's Free Nutrition Program (MBG), urging them to conduct their duties ethically and transparently. The president's strong stance comes in the wake of recent arrests of several high-ranking officials from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) on corruption charges related to the MBG initiative.

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If you feel you are smarter than the Republic of Indonesia, just try it.

"If you feel you are smarter than the Republic of Indonesia, just try it," Prabowo stated during an event focused on nutrition for future generations in Sentul, Bogor. He emphasized that the MBG program is crucial for public welfare and warned that any partner found engaging in malfeasance would face consequences. He pledged to bolster the efforts of law enforcement agencies, including the Financial Audit Board (BPKP) and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), to ensure accountability.

Previously, the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) named three former BGN leaders as suspects in a corruption case. These individuals are accused of irregularities in the management of the MBG program between 2025 and 2026. The alleged corruption involves markups in the procurement of various items, including electric motorcycles, shoes, and tablets.

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BPKP, KPK, all law enforcement must be strengthened. Because I do not want the Republic of Indonesia to be insulted. I do not want the government of the Republic of Indonesia to be disrespected.

Specific allegations include inflated prices for 21,801 electric motorcycles, totaling approximately 1 trillion rupiah. Additionally, the procurement of 32,000 pairs of shoes and over 31,000 tablets reportedly did not adhere to regulations and involved price markups. The procurement of 5,400 75-inch televisions also faces similar accusations of non-compliance and inflated costs. Prabowo asserted his refusal to see the nation disrespected or its government undermined by such corrupt practices.

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That after a series of examinations of Messrs DH, SS, and LP based on 2 sufficient pieces of evidence, investigators have named DH, SS, and LP as suspects.