Economist: MBG Programme Will Remain Problematic if BGN Governance Does Not Change
The change in leadership at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is considered unlikely to resolve the various issues surrounding the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The government has been urged to improve the programme’s governance and management to ensure that the budget is used more effectively and reaches the intended targets.
Noval Adib, an economist from Brawijaya University, believes the primary issue with the MBG programme is not merely the identity of the agency’s leadership, but rather the management patterns which are currently deemed inefficient. “The removal of Dadan Hindayana and his replacement by Nanik Suryati Dayang will not solve the MBG problems if the management pattern remains the same,” Noval stated to reporters via a short message on Wednesday.
According to him, the BGN has not yet optimally implemented the principles of cost efficiency and budget effectiveness. Consequently, a portion of the budget is believed to not directly support the programme’s main objective, which is meeting the nutritional needs of the community. Noval cited several expenditures that have drawn scrutiny, ranging from the use of event organisers and the procurement of operational vehicles to various other supporting needs. He also mentioned the provision of incentives to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), which are considered excessively large.
Therefore, Noval is urging the new BGN leadership to undertake a thorough overhaul of governance. He believes that every activity that does not add value to the programme’s implementation must be evaluated so that the state budget can be used more efficiently. “The MBG budget is the people’s money, so it must be distributed effectively and efficiently,” he added.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto removed Dadan Hindayana from his position as Head of the BGN as of 2 June 2026. This decision was announced by the Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday evening. The position of Dadan will be filled by Nanik Suryati Dayang, who previously served as the Deputy Head of the BGN. The BGN is the agency responsible for implementing the Free Nutritious Meal programme, one of the priority programmes of President Prabowo’s administration, targeting school students, toddlers, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.