Prabowo Sacks Free Meals Programme Chief Amid Widespread Food Poisonings, Corruption Allegations
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has removed Dadan Hindayana, the chief of the National Nutrition Agency, the body responsible for his government’s free meals programme. The decision follows widespread reports of mass food poisonings and formal complaints lodged with Indonesia’s corruption watchdog regarding alleged budgetary irregularities across various kitchens.
The programme, a core pledge during Prabowo’s 2024 presidential campaign, aims to provide free meals to 80 million schoolchildren. However, since its launch in January last year, at least 33,000 cases of food poisoning have been linked to the scheme as of April, according to the local non-governmental organisation Network for Education Watch. This has prompted calls for the programme's immediate suspension.
Mr. Hindayana’s dismissal comes a week after Indonesia’s anti-corruption body initiated an investigation into alleged financial inconsistencies within the scheme. He has been replaced by his deputy, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, a former journalist and member of Prabowo’s election campaign team. Critics have questioned Ms. Deyang’s suitability for the role, citing her lack of experience in nutrition or food safety, and have suggested the change in leadership may be merely cosmetic.
The programme itself has faced significant scrutiny, particularly concerning its substantial cost at a time when Indonesia is navigating reduced trade surpluses and currency depreciation. Recent adjustments saw the meal distribution scaled back from six days a week to five, with authorities citing efforts to mitigate the financial repercussions of Western foreign policy in the Middle East, specifically the US and Israel's actions in Iran.
Prabowo has acknowledged “many problems” with the scheme, vowing to address abuses of authority. However, he maintains strong public support for the initiative, citing anecdotal evidence from ordinary citizens who reportedly view the programme as vital for their grandchildren's nutrition.
