BGN Chief Threatens to Sack SPPG Heads Over Illegal Levies

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has reminded heads of Nutrition Service Delivery Units (SPPG) not to engage in illegal levy practices (pungli). He pledged to take action against any head of a Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme kitchen found to be committing such practices.

Sudaryono said SPPG heads must continue to improve their performance in delivering one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes, all the more so as they have been appointed as civil state apparatus (ASN) with the status of Contract-Based Government Employees (PPPK).

“Whoever the SPPG head may be — I say this here, any kitchen head, whoever they are — if they receive or request a fee or an additional payment from a partner or foundation, that constitutes the criminal offence of gratification or corruption,” Sudaryono said at a press conference on Monday (27/7/2026).

He asked anyone who has been subjected to illegal levies by an SPPG head to report it to the BGN immediately. According to him, every report will be followed up.

“If partners feel they may have been treated unfairly or poorly, and so on, please report it to us,” he said.

In addition, Sudaryono reminded SPPG heads to procure food ingredients transparently. He does not want foodstuffs purchased at unreasonable prices or for personal interests.

“Because an SPPG head who buys ingredients at unreasonable prices, marks them up, or demands a kickback is also committing a gratification violation and the criminal offence of corruption. Whoever commits such violations, once proven, will certainly be dismissed and their kitchen suspended or closed down,” he said.

Sudaryono said many SPPG heads are currently performing well in running the MBG programme. For that reason, he does not want the violations that have occurred to tarnish the programme’s image.

“We acknowledge there are shortcomings, we acknowledge there are things that must be corrected, we acknowledge there have even been violations, as you all know. However, we are ready to make improvements and carry out this work as well as possible,” Sudaryono said.