Bakom: Rp268tn MBG budget for 2026 under evaluation

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - The government continues to evaluate the Free Nutrition Meal (MBG) programme and ensure that the Rp268 trillion budget for 2026 is optimally utilised to serve 82.9 million beneficiaries as per President Prabowo Subianto’s target. ‘The government is not turning a blind eye to incidents that have occurred. The 2026 National Nutrition Agency (BGN) budget stands at Rp268 trillion, reflecting an evaluation of MBG implementation. From a target of 80 million beneficiaries, 62 million are projected to be reached by May 2026, and it appears the target will soon be met,’ said Hariqo Wibawa Satria, Senior Expert of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) RI, in a statement on Monday in Jakarta. According to the BGN’s performance progress report as of 22 May 2026, a specific allocation of Rp248.28 trillion (93% of the budget ceiling) is designated for MBG operations. As of 22 May 2026, the MBG budget has been absorbed to the tune of Rp83.02 trillion, or approximately 33.43%. As part of management and sectoral support, the remaining budget is allocated for non-MBG staff and operational expenses (Rp7.45 trillion), as well as national nutrition programmes and strategic system governance. The BGN also reported operational achievements of 29,225 Nutrition Programme Service Units (SPPG) across 38 provinces, exceeding the initial target of 28,562 by 102%. Furthermore, the BGN has expanded into remote, border, and outermost areas (3T), with 14,355 SPPGs currently in the application process. The presence of tens of thousands of SPPGs is projected to stimulate local economic circulation up to Rp78.9 trillion. Meanwhile, BGN Chief Dadan Hindayana stated that 1,152 SPPGs remain suspended as a firm stance against any compromise on MBG standard violations. During the evaluation and tightening of operational standards, the BGN has temporarily halted operations of 4,581 SPPGs since early 2025 to undergo quality improvement and service standard adjustments. Dadan stressed that the temporary suspension of SPPG operations is part of a comprehensive improvement effort to maintain national MBG programme quality. ‘There is no compromise on MBG quality standards. All SPPGs must adhere to established regulations to ensure services provided are safe, healthy, and of high quality for the public,’ he said.