Bima Arya Pushes for Measurable, Coordinated and Integrated MBG Governance
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto has reiterated the importance of implementing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme with measurable, coordinated and integrated governance between central and regional governments.
Bima affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is ensuring regional heads continue to work in synergy with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) across all regions.
He explained that regional governments have 17 roles in supporting the MBG programme, including strengthening the ecosystem, food safety, beneficiary data collection, and health education and monitoring. This is in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 115 of 2025 on Governance of the MBG Programme.
“The MBG programme is designed not only to focus on health, but also on economic empowerment and education. That is why the Ministry of Home Affairs is focused on ensuring that all regional heads continue to work in synergy,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (19/2/2026).
He made the remarks at a coordination meeting on MBG at the East Java Governor’s Office in Surabaya on Thursday (19/2/2026).
Bima revealed that the Ministry is currently finalising a Circular Letter as technical guidance for regional heads to carry out their roles in a more structured and measurable manner. The circular also aims to prevent overlapping authority between ministries and agencies, whilst encouraging cross-departmental involvement of Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD).
He disclosed that the circular will regulate the strengthening of the Hygiene Sanitation Eligibility System (SLHS), aligned with Government Regulation Number 1 of 2026 on Food Safety.
“So that other agencies or OPDs can also be involved. Not only the Health Office, but also food security bodies, and in coordination with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). The Circular Letter from the Home Affairs Minister will focus firstly on more detailed SLHS provisions, and secondly on strengthening the supply chain,” he said.
Bima emphasised that the Ministry is encouraging the involvement of relevant OPDs, the private sector, communities, and Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives. This aims to ensure that the quality, quantity and continuity of food supplies for the MBG programme are maintained.
On the health aspect, Bima also stressed the importance of routine monitoring of children’s nutritional status. He urged that technical monitoring mechanisms be synchronised with stakeholders so that evaluations can be conducted periodically.
“We must consider the technical mechanisms — whether through the BGN, the Health Office, or incorporated into the free health checks. So every three months we can monitor our children,” he added.
Furthermore, the Ministry is ensuring that planning and budgeting support through Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budgets (APBD) is aligned with MBG targets. This has been accommodated through the arrangement of sub-activity nomenclature and account codes.
“We are ensuring everything is synchronised between the targets in MBG governance and the APBD planning cycle, the nomenclature, account codes, and so forth,” he concluded.