People’s Schools: Under the radar

Jun 4, 2026 | Market, Politics

Talking about fiscal management, in recent weeks, public debate has been fixated on the MBG and the controversies surrounding it. Amid this intense scrutiny, the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat) program has continued to expand under the radar, despite being another...

Double blow: Corruption in the free meal program

Jun 3, 2026 | Market, Politics

A lot of people, including foreign investors, have long questioned effectiveness of Prabowo administration’s costly free meal program. Indonesians have also long suspected corruption in the program, but had only been confirmed at grandeur scale with the arrest of...

Leadership Change at BGN: What’s Up?

Jun 3, 2026 | Politics

President Prabowo Subianto has officially removed Dadan Hindayana from his position as Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang as his replacement. The sudden leadership change was announced by Minister of State Secretary...

Lost in translation

Jun 3, 2026 | Politics

President Prabowo Subianto’s recent call for French to be taught across Indonesian schools has generated curiosity, excitement and skepticism in equal measure. Presented during a state visit to France and in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, the proposal was...

New faces of nutrition agency

Jun 3, 2026 | Politics

President Prabowo Subianto recently removed BGN chief Dadan Hindayana and replaced him with Nanik S. Deyang. At the same time, both deputy heads—Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung—were dismissed. Their replacements are Agustina Arumsari, a senior state auditor from BPKP,...

Silent diplomacy problem

Jun 2, 2026 | Politics

Former vice foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal publicly questioned why some foreign leaders seeking meetings with President Prabowo Subianto allegedly received no response, the controversy was immediately framed as another debate over the President’s frequent...

Review the MBG Reviu application

Jun 2, 2026 | Market, Politics

The controversy surrounding the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) Rp1.2 trillion information technology budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is not merely about software. It is about transparency, accountability and whether Indonesia is once again...

Pesta Babi controversy

Jun 2, 2026 | Politics

The controversy surrounding Mama Yasinta Moiwend has evolved far beyond a dispute over a documentary film. It has become a test of transparency, credibility and public trust in one of Indonesia’s most controversial strategic projects: the Merauke food estate. At the...

MBG Goes International

Jun 2, 2026 | Market, Politics

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which administers President Prabowo’s flagship free meal program, is back with another controversial move. This time, BGN Head Dadan Hindayana is reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing the MBG program to Indonesian...

Prabowo in Paris: Episode 4

May 29, 2026 | Market, Politics

President Prabowo Subianto is visiting France for the fourth time since taking office, and for the third time this year alone. The unusual frequency of these visits has drawn public attention, particularly because such high-level diplomacy is expected to produce...