State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Paulus Octavianus as Deputy Minister of Health is part of efforts to strengthen the Health Ministry’s capacity, especially in responding to the MBG program managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“The Health Ministry’s responsibilities are vast and complex, including MBG issues at the BGN. That’s why the President appointed another deputy minister,” Hadi told reporters after an inauguration ceremony at the State Palace on Wednesday.
Octavianus will serve alongside current deputy minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono. His appointment comes amid investigations into mass poisoning cases linked to the MBG program, which have been declared an Extraordinary Event (Kejadian Luar Biasa or KLB) in areas such as West Bandung and Garut Districts.
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Previously, President Prabowo directed several ministries and agencies to improve BGN governance in response to the incidents.
Octavianus, a pulmonologist and former special health adviser to the defense minister, was officially sworn in under Presidential Decree No. 32M of 2025, which regulates deputy ministerial appointments for the 2024–2029 term.
His background includes medical practice and health-related work in the defense sector and political campaign teams.
Also inaugurated at Wednesday’s ceremony were Akhmad Wiyagus as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Matius Fakhiri and Aryoko Rumaropen as Governor and Deputy Governor of Papua; Anggito Abimanyu as Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Board of Commissioners; Ribka Haluk as Head of the Papua Development Acceleration Committee; and several ambassadors to friendly nations.
Related news: President Prabowo orders enhanced hygiene measures at MBG kitchens
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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