BGN Halts Free Nutritious Meal Distribution During School Holidays
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has stated that it will not distribute free nutritious meals (MBG) during school holidays. Previously, meals for holiday periods were distributed earlier in the form of take-home packages for beneficiaries.
“For distribution, there is no MBG distribution during school holidays,” said BGN Media Expert Hanibal Wijayanta when confirmed by Tempo via WhatsApp message on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
Tempo had contacted BGN Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang via WhatsApp to request more detailed reasons for the cessation of MBG distribution during school holidays. However, a person claiming to be her personal assistant suggested that questions be directed to Hanibal.
Former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sanjaya previously stated that the decision to halt MBG distribution during school holidays was based on government budget adjustments. “Previously, there was bundling. For example, if Wednesday and Thursday were holidays, then on Tuesday the meals for the holidays were also distributed in take-home packages. Now, that is no longer the case,” he said in a written statement on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.
He added that BGN has also changed the MBG distribution pattern from six days to five days a week. Distribution is now only carried out on active school days. “We support this budget efficiency. One form of BGN’s support is changing the MBG distribution pattern from six days to five days,” Sony said.
Sony explained that going forward, MBG will only be provided when students are at school and participating in teaching and learning activities. If students are on holiday or engaged in activities outside school, meals will not be distributed. “The concept is that MBG is given when students are at school. So if students are on holiday or have activities outside school, MBG is not provided,” he stated.
On 3 June, investigators from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) at the Attorney General’s Office named Sony as a suspect alongside former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana and former BGN Deputy Head Lodewyk Pusung in a case of alleged MBG corruption. The case originated from an investigation into suspected irregularities in the governance of the MBG project, which took place throughout 2025 to 2026. Investigators suspect that a practice of buying and selling SPPG points occurred during the project’s implementation. Investigators have charged Sony, Dadan, and Lodewyk under Article 603 in conjunction with Article 20 letter a or c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, in conjunction with Article 18 of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption.