Controversy Over National Nutrition Agency's Rp 1.5 Billion Purchase of Shoe Polish and Brushes: For What Purpose?
The issue of the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) Rp 1.5 billion procurement of shoe polish and brushes has drawn significant attention. The procurement is deemed unrelated to direct efforts in fulfilling nutrition under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
BGN head Dadan Hindayana has spoken out to explain the circumstances of the procurement. He emphasised that the purchase of shoe polish and brushes is part of the needs for education and training in the 2025 Indonesia Development Driver Bachelor (SPPI) programme.
“This is part of the educational equipment for SPPI participants,” said Dadan, as reported by detikHealth on Monday (20/4/2026).
The SPPI programme itself is prepared as a supporting component for the implementation of MBG. Nevertheless, the procurement of equipment such as shoe polish and brushes has attracted attention because it is considered not directly related to nutrition fulfilment.
According to Dadan, the SPPI education budget is sourced from BGN. However, the procurement process for goods, including shoe polish and brushes, is carried out through a self-managed type II scheme involving the Defence University.
“So the procurement is at the Defence University,” he stated.
Dadan explained that the procurement falls under seven packages of individual field equipment for SPPI participants. The total value of the procurement amounts to approximately Rp 1.52 billion.
The breakdown is as follows:
Shoe polish: approximately Rp 1.25 billion
Polish brushes: approximately Rp 272 million
Calculated per unit, the price of shoe polish is around Rp 41,470, while polish brushes are Rp 10,780 per unit.
The procurement is intended for 30,299 SPPI participants undergoing education and training.
Based on procurement realisation data from the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Agency, the shoe polish and brush procurement package is recorded in several contracts executed by various providers through the government procurement mechanism.
Dadan affirmed that the entire process has followed the applicable mechanisms. He stated that the equipment is part of the standard needs to support the field activities of programme participants.