“My only promise is that I will work to the best of my ability,” Sudaryono told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Sudaryono said Prabowo decided to appoint him shortly after Nanik Sudaryati Deyang resigned as BGN chief earlier Wednesday for health reasons.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya informed Sudaryono that his swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, he said.
Sudaryono said he supported the MBG program and had monitored its implementation while at the Agriculture Ministry, particularly farmers’, livestock breeders’ and fishers’ roles in its supply chains.
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The national priority program has benefited several agricultural commodities, including chicken and eggs, he said.
Sudaryono called leading BGN and its flagship program a great honor and pledged to fulfill his mandate while seeking support from all stakeholders.
Asked about growing public scrutiny of the agency, Sudaryono said he was determined to carry out his new responsibilities to the best of his ability.
He said Prasetyo had told him he must leave the Agriculture Ministry and focus on leading BGN, ruling out holding both positions simultaneously.
Deyang announced her resignation earlier Wednesday in a social media post, saying she needed to undergo heart treatment overseas.
She said Prabowo had approved her resignation and pledged to continue supporting the MBG program.
The leadership change marks another transition for BGN, about two months after Deyang became chief following the arrest of former head Dadan Hindayana on graft charges.
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Translator: M. Harianto, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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