Finance Minister Purbaya Ensures Oversight of MBG Budget Continues Despite Corruption Suspects

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has ensured that the oversight of the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme will continue, even after the Attorney General’s Office named three former officials of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) as suspects in an alleged corruption case.

According to Purbaya, the monitoring of state budget usage is conducted by various institutions, ranging from the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) to the Attorney General’s Office. These agencies also exchange data to support the oversight process.

“We check what the prices are like. One of the reports also originates from us, but it is not just from us. BPKP examines, the Attorney General’s Office examines; everyone is checking. Therefore, we exchange data,” Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

When asked for comment regarding the designation of the former Head of the BGN as a suspect, Purbaya emphasised that the government would not interfere with the ongoing legal process. He stated that the previous change in BGN leadership was the result of the President’s evaluation of the agency’s performance.

“This was the President’s decision after conducting an evaluation of their performance. We do not interfere,” he said.