BGN Supported for Internal Evaluation, Partner Coalition to Recommend Governance Improvements

The Indonesian Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen Partners Coalition (GAMDI) has held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled ‘Evaluation of BGN Circular Letter No. 12 of 2026’. GAMDI is calculating the impact felt by kitchen partners following the government’s policy to impose a moratorium on new Nutrition Service and Fulfilment Units (SPPG). GAMDI Chairperson Riyad stated that the organisation cannot yet disclose the value of losses experienced by partners, as it is still awaiting data collection from prospective regional administrators who own SPPG or MBG Kitchens. ‘We are asking each prospective kitchen that has been verified and is still in the process to calculate the impact and losses. However, we are still waiting for further policies from BGN,’ Riyad said on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. According to Riyad, GAMDI has chosen to give BGN space to complete its internal evaluation before submitting various inputs. The organisation also does not wish to disrupt the ongoing evaluation process. ‘We are giving BGN the opportunity to conduct an internal evaluation. Meanwhile, we are preparing various recommendations as input to improve the governance system comprehensively going forward,’ he stated. Riyad explained that the recommendations being prepared by GAMDI cover various aspects, ranging from institutional governance and kitchen operational systems to strengthening the supply chain so that the implementation of the MBG programme becomes more effective and sustainable. Regarding the possibility of changing the MBG implementation scheme to focus more on school canteens, Riyad assessed that such a step would be difficult to implement thoroughly. He noted that thousands of MBG kitchens are currently operating in various regions, so a total system change would potentially create new problems. ‘If everything is shifted to school canteens, I think it is impossible. The number of kitchens already running is very large. If everything is changed, it will cause new problems, while canteen readiness is also not yet evenly distributed, especially regarding cleanliness and hygiene standards,’ he explained. At the same event, Pelita Harapan University Vice Rector Jerry Sambuaga assessed that the evaluation being carried out by the government is the right step to ensure the MBG programme runs better. According to Jerry, President Prabowo Subianto has shown great commitment to the success of his flagship programme.