Indonesia's free meals agency chief resigns citing stress, second leader out in weeks

Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as chief of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (NNA) on Wednesday, citing a heart condition worsened by extreme stress, marking the second leadership change in just over a month. In a Facebook post, she said her doctor warned of clogged arteries and that President Prabowo Subianto agreed to her resignation. She also revealed plans to seek overseas treatment and indicated Prabowo is considering forming a supervisory board for the agency, which she has been asked to lead. Her predecessor was sacked last month and arrested on corruption charges related to the multibillion-dollar free meals program, following a raid at the agency's office.

The free meals program is Prabowo's most expensive election pledge, but has been plagued by logistical challenges, budget cuts, and multiple mass food poisoning incidents since its launch in January 2025. A criminal investigation into the scheme is ongoing. Nanik insisted the program is not a political issue but an intervention for children's nutrition. However, the repeated leadership instability and governance failures raise serious concerns about Indonesia's ability to deliver on this critical welfare initiative, especially amid wider worries about the country's financial health and the program's long-term viability.