In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto's most emblematic programme — free meals distributed on a large scale to fight malnutrition — is said to be moving from the canteen to the courtroom. In early June 2026, prosecutors are said to have arrested Dadan Hindayana, former head of the National Nutrition Agency, in a corruption inquiry.
Two of his deputies, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, are also said to have been arrested and dismissed. The affair targets a scheme presented as one of the state's costliest, put by some outlets at several billion dollars — a flagship programme turned, potentially, into an open-air buffet for a few middlemen.
A programme against malnutrition suspected of mainly feeding a few wallets: it took some nerve. At this stage, we still don't know how many children were fed, but we're beginning to learn who might have gone back for seconds.
A deputy minister in the wake
The wave of arrests is said not to have stopped at the canteen. Deputy immigration minister Silmy Karim is also said to have been picked up after hours of questioning, over alleged facts dating back to 2023-2024, when he ran the directorate general of immigration under former president Joko Widodo.
For the Indonesian authorities, the operation is meant as a show of anti-corruption firmness. For observers, it raises a more awkward question: how could such a high-profile social programme have become, according to the prosecution, a field for capture?
Key points
- Early June 2026, arrest of Dadan Hindayana, ex-head of the National Nutrition Agency.
- Corruption inquiry linked to Prabowo Subianto's free-meals scheme.
- Two deputies (Sony Sonjaya, Lodewyk Pusung) arrested and dismissed.
- Deputy immigration minister Silmy Karim also picked up (alleged facts 2023-2024).
- Scheme put at several billion dollars; loss unconfirmed. Presumption of innocence.
Magouilles & Compagnie verdict
Magouille or calomnie? The inquiry is in its early stages and no precise loss is established. Holding verdict: when a president's most publicised social programme ends up at the heart of a wave of arrests, the fight against malnutrition risks mainly feeding the court pages. What follows will say whether the plate was full or rigged.
⚖ Your verdict Live
In your view, is this a case of magouille — or calomnie?
📚 Sources
- Al Jazeera — « Indonesia arrests officials in crackdown on corruption »
- VietnamPlus — « Indonesia arrests officials in 12 billion USD corruption case »
❓ FAQ
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