How Large Will the MBG Budget Cut Be? Here's What the Deputy Head of BGN Says

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Agustina Arumsari has spoken out regarding reports of a planned large-scale budget efficiency drive for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Arumsari confirmed that an efficiency review is underway but declined to provide detailed figures.

“Yes, it is true, we are currently carrying out budget efficiency or refocusing. The exact figure will follow,” Arumsari told reporters on Saturday (27/6/2026).

When asked about the steps the BGN will take in its efforts to cut the budget, Arumsari was reluctant to elaborate. She assured that the agency would explain the details to the public once the process is finalised. “We will get to that later. The details will be shared when they are ready, during a press conference,” she said.

It is understood that the further cost-saving measures at the BGN were first revealed by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. He admitted to holding a meeting with BGN Head Nanik S Deyang at the Ministry of Finance in Central Jakarta on Thursday (25/6). One of the topics discussed was the budget efficiency effort.

Purbaya stated that the BGN would again implement budget efficiency on a large scale. When asked about the amount to be saved, he requested that all parties wait for the BGN’s announcement. “Yesterday I met the Head of BGN. She reported that there will be further savings from the BGN programme. I think it is quite significant, but let the Head of BGN announce it later,” Purbaya said during a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta, as reported by detikFinance on Friday (26/6).

When asked whether the savings would reach IDR 40 trillion, as previously reported, Purbaya declined to disclose the figure. “Maybe (around IDR 40 trillion). Just ask her (BGN), she understands it better than I do. The cuts will be significant, but it was not me who proposed them, it was the Head of BGN herself,” Purbaya remarked.