BGN Reveals That Some Parties Are Exploiting MBG Kitchen Management as a Business Venture

Jakarta — Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Nanik S Deyang revealed that a number of parties have used the foundation purely to manage the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchens. There is even talk of foundation fronts running multiple kitchens with the aim of profit. ‘The MBG target is very high; foundation fronts have emerged. Many people own more than one kitchen,’ Nanik said at a workshop titled ‘Strengthening Communication Strategy and Public Relations Implementation’, cited from a press release, on Saturday, 7 March 2026. ‘What has emerged are entrepreneurs cloaked as foundations, because their orientation is business. That is why they do not even bother with proper rooms; they demand air conditioning; if equipment breaks they do not want to replace it because of business calculations.’ Nanik emphasised that BGN will not stay silent and will continue evaluating all partner organisations delivering this program. ‘They forget that they are only on a one-year contract that can be extended. In other words, we could terminate the partnership at any time.’ Nanik noted that the MBG program was not designed as a business program, but to help alleviate the lives of poor households. ‘We will reiterate that MBG is not a business, but a humanitarian program, a social investment.’ ‘You, as heads of SPPG, should operate in the correct corridor. Implement the Juknis and SOPs,’ Nanik asserted.