Following Dadan's Suspect Status, Purbaya to Continue MBG Budget Efficiencies

Jakarta, VIVA – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has emphasised that his office will remain focused on ensuring budget efficiencies for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, following the detention of the former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, by the Attorney General’s Office.

He stated that matters regarding the leadership of the BGN fall under the authority of President Prabowo Subting Subianto as Head of State. The decision regarding the removal from office was described as a result of the President’s evaluation of the BGN leadership’s performance.

“This is the President’s decision after evaluating his performance. We do not interfere. What is clear is that the current figure, which is around Rp260 trillion, will decrease, right? Because of reductions in days and various other factors,” Purbaya said at the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

Purbaya previously stated that the government has reduced the MBG programme ceiling in the 2026 State Budget (APBN) from an initial Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion. This decision follows instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure that the MBG programme funds can be managed more efficiently.

As of 30 April, the realised distribution of the MBG budget was recorded at Rp75 trillion, reaching 61.96 million beneficiaries and 27,952 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

Purbaya also signalled that further budget savings for the MBG programme are forthcoming, although he has not yet detailed the specific future plans. However, Purbaya noted that President Prabowo is currently improving the management of the MBG programme, as well as the BGN’s methods of budget expenditure.

It is reported that the Attorney General’s Office has named three former BGN officials as suspects in a case involving alleged corruption in the management of the MBG programme for the 2025-2026 period. The three individuals are the former Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana (DH); the former Deputy Head of BGN for Organisational Development and Institutional Support, Lodewyk Pusung (LP); and the former Deputy Head of BGN for Nutrition Fulfilment Operations, Sony Sonjaya (SS). The Attorney General’s Office stated that the three are suspected of inflating prices in the procurement of electric motorcycles and footwear within the BGN.