Indonesia's nutrition agency head resigns, the second leadership change in less than two months

Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency faces another leadership crisis. Nanik S. Deyang resigned from her position as head of the agency on Wednesday. Her departure comes just 45 days after she took over the role. This marks the second time in two months that the agency, which manages a significant multi-billion-dollar free meals program, has lost its chief.

Deyang stated her resignation stems from health concerns requiring treatment abroad. She noted that President Prabowo Subianto accepted her resignation with sympathy but requested she maintain a supervisory role over the agency's operations moving forward. This change follows the removal of her predecessor, Dadan Hindayana, who was dismissed and subsequently arrested in connection with a corruption case.

The agency oversees a high-profile initiative promised by President Prabowo Subianto. The program aims to provide meals to nearly 90 million children and pregnant women to address malnutrition nationwide. Despite its ambitious goals, the project encounters persistent obstacles, including allegations of corruption, instances of food poisoning among beneficiaries, and concerns regarding total program costs.

During Deyang’s brief 45-day tenure, the government reduced the annual budget for the initiative from $15 billion to approximately $12 billion. The agency claims it is conducting an internal evaluation of the program’s beneficiaries. Officials stated that their current priority is to improve the effectiveness and targeting of meal distribution rather than simple budget cuts.

As the agency searches for stable leadership, the future of this massive national project remains under scrutiny. Public confidence in the management of these funds continues to be a central point of discussion as the government attempts to navigate these internal challenges.