BGN reassesses MBG kitchen locations and beneficiary data following corruption scandal

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is continuing to comb through data on Nutritional Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) to ensure they operate according to the intended beneficiary targets, including areas with high stunting rates.

Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari, speaking after a Plenary Cabinet Session at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday, said that in previous practice the establishment of SPPG units did not take account of a region’s nutritional needs, and merely ensured that a kitchen for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme could be built at the location.

“So there was no attention as to whether an area had stunting, or whether it was an area that needed to be targeted because of certain conditions — no. As long as there was a primary school nearby, a junior secondary school nearby, that was enough. Moreover, once the number of SPPG points became too many, there was even competition on the ground,” said Agustina.

“That is the data we are currently reviewing again,” she added.

She noted that there are currently 62.7 million registered beneficiaries, and the agency is confirming that data and dividing it into categories and groups most in need.

The move is part of efforts to improve the governance of the MBG programme currently being undertaken by the government. The reforms come after several former BGN leaders were named suspects in an alleged corruption case concerning the governance of the 2025-2026 MBG programme by the Attorney General’s Office.

Earlier, Agustina said President Prabowo Subianto had instructed BGN officials to reassess the targets for MBG beneficiaries.

The President asked that beneficiaries be prioritised towards groups in need and those in vulnerable categories, such as people in the lowest income deciles and areas prone to stunting.

Agustina Arumsari said the President requested that all input on the implementation of the MBG programme be studied before the government takes a decision.

“He listened to all the input from every meeting participant present; there were all sorts of proposals,” said Agustina after meeting the President at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (15 July).