Economist: MBG Programme Does Not Use Customer Funds

Economist from Bina Nusantara University, Doddy Ariefianto, has responded to netizens’ concerns regarding the issue of utilising customer savings in Himbara banks for the needs of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. According to Doddy, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme has already been allocated by the government in the 2026 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) with a value of Rp268 trillion to the National Nutrition Agency. “Technically, its distribution uses a government assistance mechanism through virtual accounts in Himbara banks, accompanied by a special monitoring dashboard. Thus, it is not the bank’s customer funds that are used,” he said to CNBC Indonesia on Friday (24/4/2026). In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman of the LPS, Farid Azhar Nasution, stated that MBG is a government programme, where the funding source comes from the APBN. “There is no connection with bank customer deposits guaranteed by the LPS as per the provisions,” he emphasised. Meanwhile, the Executive Head of OJK Banking Supervision, Dian Ediana Rae, explained that the provisions in the RPOJK RBB are regulations to support banks in having directed, measurable, and sustainable strategic planning through the preparation of a business plan. The matters listed in the business plan, including the point of providing credit for government programmes, are fundamentally aimed at strengthening the quality of the bank’s business planning to be comprehensive and forward-looking in identifying intermediation opportunities that can support national economic growth. “Thus, the RBB provides comprehensive information on the planning carried out by the bank, so that the potential for credit distribution to sectors that have an impact on economic growth can be identified more structured,” Dian concluded.