Evaluation of Free Nutritious Meals Continues, National Nutrition Agency Prepares Budget Efficiency

The government is preparing to implement major efficiencies in the execution of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The move is part of efforts to improve the programme’s governance so that budget utilisation is more effective without reducing the benefits received by the public.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed that the government will significantly cut the budget for the Free Nutritious Meals programme. He obtained this information after meeting with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik S. Deyang, on Thursday (25/6). Purbaya said the efficiency proposal will be announced directly by the Head of BGN.

“Yesterday I met with the Head of BGN. She came to report that there will be further savings from the BGN programme. I think it is quite significant, but let the Head of BGN announce it later,” Purbaya stated at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta, Friday (26/6).

When asked whether the budget cut would reach around IDR 40 trillion, as previously mentioned by Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari, Purbaya did not deny the possibility. “Maybe around that figure,” said the state treasurer.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the budget reduction was not a proposal from the Ministry of Finance, but originated from BGN as the programme implementer. “What is clear is that the cut is quite significant. But it was not me who proposed it; it was the Head of BGN herself,” he said.

Purbaya also joked that his ministry would ideally like to cut the entire programme budget, but acknowledged that this was not possible because the budget had already been allocated and the programme still provides benefits to the community. “If it were up to me, I would want it to be zero, but that cannot happen. The budget has already been disbursed, and stopping it would also be wrong because the programme is good; it is just the implementation that needs to be improved,” he said.

He added that the efficiency plan has been reported by the Head of BGN to President Prabowo Subianto. According to him, the government’s comprehensive evaluation, including action against problematic officials, demonstrates seriousness in improving the governance of the MBG programme. “The Head of BGN said she would report to Mr Prabowo. I do not know the outcome yet. But you can see the fact that the previous head was arrested, meaning Mr Prabowo is serious about improving the governance and efficiency of MBG and budget utilisation. So the President is not playing around,” Purbaya said.

Purbaya assured that the budget efficiency will not disrupt the government’s fiscal condition. He explained that if there is no diversion of financing to other items, the efficiency measures will actually lower the budget deficit. “What is clear is that the fiscal condition is safe, the deficit will not exceed 3 per cent, it can almost certainly be well controlled,” he said.

To ensure more accountable budget use, the Ministry of Finance will also strengthen the monitoring system for the MBG programme in the regions. Supervision will involve the ministry’s ranks across all districts and cities, including the Directorate General of Treasury and the Directorate General of State Assets (DJKN). “BGN continues to carry out efficiencies, but on the ground I have many personnel across all districts and cities. From Treasury, DJKN also has many. We will form a team to monitor in all districts and cities,” Purbaya said.

He stressed that the monitoring team will report independently and will not be under the control of BGN, so that oversight can be more objective. “If it is bad, we will say it is bad. If the recommendation is to close it, then close it. So the supervision will be more structured and the supervisor is not BGN itself, but under my purview, so we will not collude,” he asserted.