TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When President Prabowo Subianto dismissed National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Chief Dadan Hindayana and his two deputies, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang was in Surabaya, East Java, still serving as a Deputy Chief of the agency. On the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, she said she had no knowledge of the decision to remove Dadan, Sony, and Lodewyk.
The following day, investigators from the Attorney General's Office arrested all three men. They were accused of involvement in a number of corruption cases linked to the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. Several hours after his arrest, Sony posted a letter on his personal Instagram account. In addition to congratulating Nanik on her appointment as the new BGN Chief, he referred to a "beautiful gift."
The remark quickly fueled speculation. Speaking with Tempo reporter Raymundus Rikang, Nanik said she did not understand the meaning of Sony's letter. During a telephone interview, she shared several important pieces of information but requested that they not be quoted. She did, however, describe in detail the process that led to her appointment. The following are excerpts from the interview conducted on the morning of Friday, June 5, 2026.
Is it true that you reported the alleged corruption case that implicated Dadan, Sony, and Lodewyk?
That information is not true. I do not have any evidence of corruption. Where would I get such information? I am actually saddened to see them in this situation.
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