BGN Assures Public Can Closely Monitor Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens: 'We Will Make It as Transparent as Possible'

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has assured that the public will be able to access data on the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), or kitchens, of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari stated that the agency is currently conducting an evaluation to improve the governance of the MBG programme. The BGN’s primary focus at present is evaluating the beneficiaries of the MBG. Arum mentioned that the number of MBG recipients will be reduced to save the state budget (APBN). Subsequently, the BGN will improve kitchen management. “Essentially, we are currently talking about improvements first. In 2026, the target is beneficiaries, then we will talk about kitchens,” Arum stated, as quoted on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. Arum said the BGN is committed to making the MBG programme transparent, so that the public can access and directly oversee the programme. “Later, we will make this process as transparent as possible. Ladies and gentlemen can access it, can come and see, can participate in overseeing it because this is a strategic programme,” she stressed. Furthermore, Arum said the BGN is open to the possibility of cutting MBG recipients. Regarding this matter, the BGN has consulted with the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) and related institutions. “According to the Ministry of Health, nutritional intervention should ideally be carried out, for example technically, from the gestational age up to the first 1,000 days of life, so that brain volume can be maximised,” said Arum. “Then up to two years of age, there will be nutritional intervention, and then up to the subsequent ages. The form is nutritional fulfilment,” she continued. For this reason, the BGN is evaluating beneficiaries. According to Arum, high school (SMA) students are likely to be removed from the MBG recipient list. Likewise for junior high school (SMP) students in the expensive school category. “For example, high school students perhaps no longer need to be given MBG. Especially high school and junior high school students whose pocket money alone is already Rp100,000 or Rp200,000, perhaps those in the high class no longer need it,” Arum explained.