DPR Warns Budget Cuts Must Not Reduce Quality of Free Nutritious Meal Programme

The House of Representatives (DPR) has warned that the reduction in the 2027 budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme must not affect the quality or safety of the food provided. Yahya Zaini, Deputy Chairman of the DPR’s Commission IX, stressed that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) must ensure the budget cut does not lower standards. “The reduction in the BGN budget must ensure that the quality and safety of the MBG are not reduced. This relates to good governance and strict supervision,” Yahya told reporters on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Yahya expressed hope that there would be no cuts to the food component budget. He also suggested that the incentive scheme for partners should be evaluated and adjusted based on the number of beneficiaries, rather than being a fixed amount. “I hope there will be no reduction in the food budget, which is Rp 10,000 per portion, the operational costs of Rp 3,000, and the incentive of Rp 2,000. The incentives given to partners need to be adjusted according to the number of beneficiaries, not a flat rate as is currently the case, where they are paid Rp 6 million per day regardless of the number of recipients,” he added.

Yahya also urged the BGN to improve its professionalism, prudence, and transparency in budget management to restore its tarnished image. “Transparency is crucial to restoring the BGN’s image, which has been damaged by a corruption case. Public trust in the BGN must be restored through good performance and transparent budget management. The BGN must clean house internally first; problematic employees must be evaluated and gradually replaced,” he stated.

Previously, the Chairman of the DPR Budget Committee, Said Abdullah, announced that the MBG programme budget for 2027 would be reduced to Rp 174 trillion, down from the 2026 allocation. “The MBG budget will definitely be reduced. We need to first assess the service points for the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), which should be 21,000 points, to cover 84 million students,” Said explained.