Funds from National Nutrition Agency Not Yet Disbursed, SPPGs in Semarang Cease Operations

The Head of Administrative Affairs for the Semarang Nutrition Service Office (KPPG), Bagus Anindito, has addressed the cessation of operations at several Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in Central Java, attributing it to pending fund disbursements from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). KPPG Semarang oversees approximately 2,400 SPPGs across 20 districts and cities in Central Java. Bagus acknowledged that several SPPGs under his office’s purview are not currently operating due to the lack of funds, though he lacks precise figures on the number affected. “It is not really a case of non-disbursement, perhaps just not yet disbursed. There is currently a refinement being carried out by the Directorate General of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, so it is likely still being processed,” Bagus said in an interview in Semarang. He denied rumours that the delayed budget disbursement is related to the change in BGN leadership, instead linking it to an efficiency programme impacting all ministries and agencies. Bagus described the delay as normal, citing the existence of thousands of SPPGs across Indonesia and noting that disbursement systems have limits. He explained that SPPGs awaiting funds are prohibited from operating because no bridging finance is allowed; all units must await central funds. Bagus also outlined a change in the disbursement mechanism, moving from a system where SPPGs submitted proposals for two-week periods to a new top-up method. Under the new system, a central team will monitor units whose funds are depleting and automatically top up their virtual accounts. Disbursements, typically around 500 million rupiah intended for one month of operations, still require the relevant SPPG to submit a top-up request. At least dozens of SPPGs in Central Java have been affected by the funding delay; in Purworejo, 12 SPPGs have temporarily halted operations while waiting for the funding top-up process from BGN.