JAKARTA, Indonesia — Law enforcement officials conducted a search of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency headquarters on Wednesday, just one day after the country’s president dismissed the agency director overseeing a massive free meals initiative.
Officials from the Attorney General’s Office did not specify whether their search was connected to any criminal probe.
The nutrition initiative fulfilled a campaign pledge by President Prabowo Subianto and was designed to combat malnutrition by providing meals to approximately 90 million children and expectant mothers. However, the program has faced significant backlash over expensive costs and incidents where students became ill after consuming the provided food.
On Tuesday evening, Prabowo dismissed agency director Dadan Hindayana and appointed Nanik S. Deyang, previously the deputy director, as his replacement.
“Some issues relate to discipline in following standard operating procedures, while others relate to discipline in implementing governance, including discipline in maintaining food quality as stipulated by the National Nutrition Agency,” Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said.
Despite the leadership change, Hadi stressed the administration remained dedicated to continuing the nutrition program. “Services to the public must not be disrupted in any way,” Hadi told reporters Tuesday after the firing.
Throughout Wednesday, Attorney General’s Office investigators conducted their search of the agency headquarters, preventing staff members from entering the building.
“We are still in the process of searching at the National Nutrition Agency,” said Mochamad Jeffry, the office’s acting spokesperson. He did not disclose what case was being investigated in connection with the search.
The nutrition initiative carries an estimated price tag of $28 billion extending through 2029. While Prabowo intended to address malnutrition and support agricultural producers by buying their crops, skeptics have raised concerns about the program’s financial sustainability and practical implementation across a sprawling nation of over 282 million residents.
