BGN Chief Unfazed by TNI-Polri Involvement in Free Nutritious Meals Programme
JAKARTA – The head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has responded to the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. According to him, this is not something that should be questioned.
He believes all parties can be involved in the implementation of the MBG programme. Moreover, the BGN is not alone in running one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes, but works together with numerous partners.
“The way I see it is this: essentially it is the same as what I have faced in agriculture, which is involving everyone. The point is the objective itself,” he said when asked about TNI-Polri involvement in the MBG programme at the BGN building on Wednesday (22/7/2026).
Sudaryono gave an example from his time as Deputy Minister of Agriculture, when he involved TNI and Polri in addressing problems in the agricultural sector. At the time, the military and police were deployed to distribute 70,000 water pumps to farmers during the dry season.
“Why? Because there was no budget. So there were no funds to distribute them,” he said.
Therefore, he considers the involvement of TNI and Polri in the MBG programme to be a non-issue, so long as the programme continues to run on target.
“So essentially, I do not wish to comment further, but the point is that all parties should find ways for this to be implemented properly,” said Sudaryono.
Beyond meeting children’s nutritional needs, the MBG programme must also generate economic impact at the local level. This is because the programme empowers micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM), farmers and livestock breeders in surrounding communities.
According to the BGN website, the MBG programme is a national programme implemented across sectors, involving dozens of ministries and agencies. This cross-sectoral involvement is governed by Decree of the Head of BGN of the Republic of Indonesia No. 401.1 of 2025 on Technical Guidelines for the Governance of the MBG Programme for the 2026 Fiscal Year.
Inter-ministerial and inter-agency synergy encompasses policy support, budgeting, oversight and technical implementation in the field. This collaboration forms an important foundation to ensure MBG governance meets standards, national targets and principles of accountability.
Besides civilian ministries and agencies, the BGN also involves elements of TNI and Polri in supporting the programme’s operations. Their involvement is focused on mentoring, securing distribution, and supporting smooth operations in the regions.
It is understood that TNI and Polri involvement goes beyond that. The two institutions also manage more than a thousand nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG). According to Republika’s records, TNI had operated 452 SPPGs as of September last year, whilst Polri had 1,376 SPPGs as of May 2026.