How Much Will the Free Nutritious Meals Budget Be Cut? Here's the Deputy BGN Chief's Answer

Jakarta - Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Agustina Arumsari has confirmed plans for budget efficiency or refocusing within the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. However, she has not yet disclosed the exact amount to be cut. “Yes, it is true, we are carrying out efficiency or refocusing of the budget. The exact figure will follow,” Arumsari said, as quoted by Detik.com on Sunday (28/6/2026). When asked about which budget items would be streamlined and the steps the BGN would take, Agustina declined to provide further explanation. She assured that the policy details would be communicated once the process is finalised. “We’ll get to that later. Once the details are ready, we will hold a press conference,” she said. The BGN’s cost-saving efforts were previously revealed by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. He acknowledged holding a meeting with BGN Head Nanik S Deyang at the Ministry of Finance in Central Jakarta on Thursday (25/6), where budget efficiency was discussed. Purbaya stated that the BGN would undertake further significant budget savings. When asked about the amount, he asked all parties to await the BGN’s announcement. “I met the Head of BGN yesterday. 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 Rp 40 trillion, as previously rumoured, Purbaya declined to confirm. “Maybe (around Rp 40 trillion). Ask her (BGN), she understands better than I do. The cuts will be significant, but I was not the one who proposed it, the Head of BGN herself did,” Purbaya said.