Finance Minister to Meet BGN Chief This Week to Discuss MBG Programme Governance and Budget Efficiency

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that his ministry is currently awaiting detailed budget information from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for the free nutritious meal (MBG) programme, which will be proposed for inclusion in the 2027 State Budget Financial Note. ‘We are still waiting for information from the head of BGN,’ Purbaya said during the APBN KITA press conference at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. To discuss this matter, Purbaya confirmed he will meet with BGN Head Nanik S. Deyang this week. ‘If I am not mistaken, I will meet her on Thursday or Friday to see what the budget looks like for this year and next year,’ he stated. The BGN is currently working to improve governance related to data on the number of beneficiaries, distribution points, and incentives for the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). This serves as a preliminary step towards budget cuts or efficiency measures for the MBG programme, which will be based on the results of these governance improvements. ‘So regarding the figure, 170 and so on, we are still waiting,’ he added. Purbaya previously established a special team to oversee the use of the MBG programme budget, involving officials from the Directorate General of Treasury and the Directorate General of State Assets, with a presence extending to all regency and city levels. Evaluations of the programme’s implementation and budget absorption in the field will be conducted periodically every two months. Purbaya emphasised that the government will not tolerate any SPPG units proven to be problematic in executing the programme. In addition to strengthening oversight, the Ministry of Finance is also ready to provide human resource support in the financial sector should the BGN require assistance in budget management.