{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1797896,
        "msgid": "indonesia-finds-irregular-surge-in-free-meal-kitchens-1781171419",
        "date": "2026-06-11 16:23:39",
        "title": "Indonesia finds irregular surge in free meal kitchens",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's government has uncovered an irregular surge in the number of kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, with 6,877 additional units suspected of being linked to location trading. The Head of the National Food Agency warned that inflated kitchen numbers could waste up to Rp1 trillion per month in incentives, prompting an immediate restructuring. The National Nutrition Agency will impose a moratorium on new kitchens, review existing service points, and refocus beneficiaries to ensure the multibillion-rupiah programme is fiscally sustainable and effectively targeted.",
        "content": "<p>He said the increase prompted the government to restructure the MBG\nprogram.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe initial plan was 21,000 SPPG points, but now there are 27,877.\nThis represents an increase of 6,877 SPPG points,\u201d Hasan stated on\nThursday.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, the 21,000 planned SPPG units are intended to be\nestablished in agglomeration areas. As a result, the rise in the number\nof SPPG points is suspected to be linked to the trading of SPPG\nlocations.<\/p>\n<p>With each SPPG kitchen receiving an incentive of Rp6 million (US$324)\nper day, he estimates that the budget wasted on SPPG kitchen incentives\ncould reach up to Rp1 trillion (US$54 million) per month.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the government plans to restructure the MBG program within\none month.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA comprehensive restructuring is needed by the Head of the National\nNutrition Agency (BGN) and new management to improve the program,\u201d Hasan\nremarked.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, BGN Head Nanik S. Deyang said the agency would implement a\nnumber of efficiency measures to ensure the program remains fiscally\nsustainable without compromising beneficiaries\u2019 nutritional targets.<\/p>\n<p>The first measure is a moratorium on establishing new SPPG points and\nkitchens. Nanik said the 27,877 operational kitchen points currently\nregistered through virtual accounts will be reviewed to ensure their\nservice capacity aligns with the number of beneficiaries in each\narea.<\/p>\n<p>The agency has also temporarily halted registration for new kitchens\nwhile conducting a needs assessment across regions, as kitchen\ndistribution remains heavily concentrated on Java.<\/p>\n<p>The next phase involves refocusing beneficiaries to ensure nutrition\ninterventions are better targeted toward those most in need. The agency\nwill evaluate the beneficiary database, which currently includes around\n63 million people.<\/p>\n<p>BGN will also strengthen oversight of service quality. In 2026, the\nfocus will shift from expanding the program to improving its\nimplementation. Evaluations will be carried out to ensure kitchens\ncomply with technical standards and have adequate service capacity.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BGN overhaul signals new phase for Indonesia\u2019s Free\nMeal program<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesian minister links MBG program to human rights\nfulfillment<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Putu Indah S, Resinta Sulistiyandari<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-finds-irregular-surge-in-free-meal-kitchens-1781171419",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}