Claiming to be a Minister's Grandchild, Owner of Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen "Cuts" Budget from Rp 10,000 to Rp 6,500 Per Portion

JAKARTA — The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has discovered a Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) operator engaged in fraud by cutting the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme budget from Rp 10,000 per portion to Rp 6,500 per portion.

The foundation owner operating several MBG kitchens in East Java also claimed to be a minister’s grandchild.

The discovery emerged when two SPPG heads under Yayasan Bhakti Bhojana Nusantara (Bhakti Bhojana Nusantara Foundation) pursued BGN Deputy Head Nanik S Deyang to Blitar, East Java, last weekend.

The two individuals were Rizal Zulfikar Fikri, Head of Ponorogo Kauman Somorto SPPG, and Syafi’i Misbachul Mufid, Head of Ponorogo Jambon Krebet SPPG.

They had endured months of pressure and intimidation from the foundation overseeing them, along with nutrition supervisors and finance monitors.

The foundation owner even claimed to be a minister’s grandchild.

“The foundation managing both SPPGs allegedly manipulated food procurement purchases. From the BGN-established budget of Rp 10,000 per portion for food purchases, they only spent Rp 6,500 per portion,” BGN stated in a statement on Monday (16 March 2026).

Due to this budget reduction, SPPG heads frequently covered the shortfall from their own pockets to keep MBG menus presentable.

“Whether I like it or not, I feel sorry for the student beneficiaries,” said Syafi’i, tearfully.

Nanik deemed the foundation owner’s conduct inhumane and inappropriate.

Moreover, the SPPG heads faced continuous pressure and threats that police or lawyers would be sent after them if they did not comply with the foundation’s demand to cut the MBG budget.

Additionally, volunteers and beneficiary schools were pressured to sign documents demanding the removal of both SPPG heads.

When Nanik heard their complaints, she immediately tasked Director of Monitoring and Regional Oversight II Brigadier General (Ret.) Albertus Dony Dewantoro to conduct a direct inspection of both MBG kitchens.

Nanik also instructed Brigadier General Dony to immediately shut down the kitchen belonging to the person claiming to be a minister’s grandchild.

“Stop! If necessary permanently, unless they demonstrate improved conduct towards the SPPG heads, nutrition supervisors, and finance monitors,” Nanik stated.