After Previous 'Misstep', Purbaya Admits Ties with BGN Are Now 'Closer'

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that cooperation with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has become much closer following a change in leadership. ‘Cooperation with BGN has improved. Previously, when I came in, it was chaotic. Now it is not,’ Purbaya said during a media briefing at the Juanda Building, Jakarta, on Friday (26/6/2026). As part of this cooperation, Purbaya said his ministry would step in to help BGN oversee the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in the regions. This effort aims to ensure the priority programme runs more effectively. ‘Sometimes they (BGN) find it difficult to conduct supervision in the regions. I said, in that case, let the Ministry of Finance handle the regional oversight. My people in the regions will monitor the SPPG kitchens periodically,’ he said. Purbaya added that the Ministry of Finance could eventually have the right to recommend the closure of SPPG kitchens if they are not operated properly. He noted that this proposal was approved by BGN. ‘They agreed, if it is not right, just close it, sir, we discussed it like that. So cooperation with BGN has improved,’ Purbaya said. Furthermore, Purbaya stated that the ministry would provide human resources with expertise in finance to ensure the MBG programme runs more smoothly. ‘We will also help with human resources if they need financial or treasury personnel from the Ministry of Finance. It should be better going forward,’ he said. Previously, Purbaya admitted he had been ‘kecele’ or misled regarding the purchase of electric motorbikes by BGN. He revealed this during a working meeting with the Regional Representative Council (DPD) RI on Monday (22/6/2026). He recounted criticising the purchase because of its fantastic budget of Rp 1 trillion. He admitted he had no prior knowledge of the budget allocation. Purbaya felt he had rejected the electric motorbike programme, but suddenly discovered the purchase in March 2026. He claimed the parties who inserted the budget were very sophisticated. ‘So at that time it was decided and rejected, right, Mr Prima (Director General of Treasury). I did not know, suddenly in March there was a purchase, so we took action against the parties involved in the Ministry of Finance regarding that,’ he said. ‘So they were quite sophisticated, we were less sophisticated, but we are fixing it continuously, sir,’ he added.