Indonesia arrests Nutrition Agency Director over corrupt school lunch program

Thairath•International•11d ago

Reader Briefing

Indonesian authorities have arrested the Director and two Deputy Directors of the National Nutrition Agency for alleged corruption in the flagship free school lunch program, which has led to thousands of children suffering food poisoning.

•The Director and two Deputy Directors of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency have been arrested for corruption.
•The arrests are linked to alleged corruption in the government's free school lunch program.
•The program has resulted in food poisoning affecting at least 33,000 children.
•The arrests occurred one day after President Prabowo Subianto dismissed the agency's director.

Overview

•On June 4, 2026, Indonesian police arrested Dadan Hindayana, former Director of the National Nutrition Agency, and two deputy directors.
•The arrests are due to allegations of corruption and malfeasance in the free school lunch program.
•Dadan Hindayana is accused of using his influence to select foundations for the school lunch program that did not meet standards.
•Over 33,000 children have been affected by food poisoning related to the program as of April.
•The free school lunch program is a flagship policy of President Prabowo Subianto, with a budget of at least $15 billion USD.
•The program aims to provide meals to over 82.9 million children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers nationwide.
•Investigations included searches of the National Nutrition Agency headquarters in Jakarta and the residences of the accused.
•The government maintains that the free school lunch program will continue despite leadership changes in the responsible agency.

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Key Entities

Organization

Indonesian Police(ตร.อินโดฯ)

The law enforcement body responsible for arresting officials in Indonesia.

National Nutrition Agency(สำนักงานโภชนาการแห่งชาติ)

The Indonesian government agency responsible for the nationwide school lunch program.

Person

Director of the National Nutrition Agency(ผอ.สำนักงานโภชนาการแห่งชาติ)

The former head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency, arrested for corruption.

Dadan Hindayana(นายดาดัน ฮินดายานา)

The former Director of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency, accused of corruption in the school lunch program.

President Prabowo Subianto(ประธานาธิบดีปราโบโว ซูเบียนโต)ℹ️

The President of Indonesia, under whose administration the free school lunch program is a flagship policy.

Policy

Free School Lunch Program(โครงการอาหารกลางวันฟรี)

The flagship government initiative in Indonesia aimed at providing meals to children, pregnant women, and mothers.

Place

Jakarta(กรุงจาการ์ตา)ℹ️

The capital city of Indonesia, where the headquarters of the National Nutrition Agency is located.