Legal Notice Issued to National Nutrition Agency Chief
Representatives from the Save Indonesian Education Coalition visited the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) headquarters in Central Jakarta to submit a formal legal notice against BGN chief Sudaryono.
LBH Jakarta advocacy head Alif Fauzi Nurwidiastomo told reporters that the government must immediately halt the program’s expansion and implement comprehensive reforms. Activists warned they will pursue a citizen lawsuit if authorities fail to meet their demands within seven calendar days.
Scale of the Initiative and Graft Investigations
Launched in 2025 to combat stunting and improve school focus, the program has rolled out nearly 28,000 kitchens across the archipelago, supplying up to 3,000 meals daily per facility. However, according to reporting by Al Jazeera, the initiative has faced severe logistical strain and high-profile criminal investigations. Authorities arrested the former head of the BGN and two deputies in early June for alleged procurement fraud, expanding the probe to seven individuals including active-duty police and military officers.
Financial adjustments followed in May when President Prabowo directed a budget cut. Analysts like Ronny Sasmita of the Indonesia Strategic and Economic Action Institution told Al Jazeera that the sprawling framework creates widespread entry points for fund leakages. Kitchens are operated franchise-style by a network of foundations rather than school canteens, with independent research from the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) noting ties between some operators and security forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What prompted the seven-day ultimatum? Civil society groups acted in response to widespread food poisoning cases linked to meals distributed under the program, alongside broader concerns regarding oversight and corruption.
- Who received the legal notice? The Save Indonesian Education Coalition submitted the notice to BGN chief Sudaryono, President Prabowo Subianto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and House Speaker Puan Maharani.
- What legal actions are threatened? Activists stated they will pursue a citizen lawsuit and other available legal measures if the government does not halt expansion and implement structural reforms within seven days.
Worth a look