Full Explanation of Rp6 Million Incentive for MBG Partners, Hendrik Irawan Reveals Investment Costs...

A viral video of Hendrik Irawan, a partner in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, has sparked controversy after a narrative claiming an Rp6 million daily incentive drew public criticism. Irawan explained that the incentive is part of the technical guidelines from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to all managers of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). He stated that the funds are not personal aid but a form of operational appreciation for partners building kitchen facilities to government programme standards. Irawan noted that he constructed the MBG kitchen from scratch using personal funds, without government financing, to ensure operational readiness for the national nutrition fulfilment programme. According to Hendrik Irawan, the MBG SPPG partner in Pangauban, the investment for building the kitchen reached Rp3.5 billion for a facility of nearly 1,000 square metres. “It should be known that I built the SPPG from empty land; I did not use government money,” Irawan said in his clarification on Tuesday (24/03/2026). He added that the Rp6 million incentive is only provided for 24 operational days per month and thus does not yet cover the initial investment expended. Irawan expressed apologies to the public for the circulating dancing video, which has created a negative perception of the government’s MBG programme.