Key facts
- An organization has called for the suspension of President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program.
- The group also urged for an expanded investigation into alleged corruption within the program.
- Indonesia Corruption Watch advocated for the dissolution of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
An organization has called for the suspension of President Prabowo Subianto's free meals program and an expanded investigation into the initiative, which is a signature policy of the Indonesian President. Wana Alamsyah, head of the law and investigation division at Indonesia Corruption Watch, stated that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) should be dissolved outright. The US$15 billion initiative aims to reach 83 million schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers to prevent malnutrition and stunted growth. However, it has been dogged by controversy since its launch in January last year, with critics pointing to weak oversight, limited budget transparency and insufficient food safety guidance. Earlier this month, three former leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) were arrested by the Attorney General’s Office for alleged mark-ups and corruption related to the development of operational kitchens. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the number of kitchens had surged to 27,877, more than the 21,000 planned initially, with a significant increase in underdeveloped regions.