MBG Partners Protest Plan to Revoke Rp6 Million Daily Incentive for SPPG

The Central Executive Board of the Association of Nutritious Meal Kitchen Partners (DPP HMD Germas) has raised several concerns regarding the Rp6 million daily incentive for Nutritional Service Units (SPPG). HMD Germas believes the plan to revoke this incentive will impact the operations of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Secretary General of DPP HMD Germas, Yusuf Supriadi, explained that the Rp6 million incentive policy was an internal decision by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Initially, the incentive was provided based on the number of portions at a rate of Rp2,000 per portion. However, the scheme was later changed to a fixed incentive of Rp6 million. When this policy was implemented, several partners serving different portion sizes still received the Rp6 million incentive without objection. Yusuf believes the current issue is not solely about the nominal value of the incentive, but rather the policy change that was not adequately communicated to partners. “Regarding the current situation, the change from Rp2,000 per portion to Rp6 million was certainly calculated internally by BGN beforehand,” Yusuf told Republika on Friday (19/6/2026). Yusuf highlighted complaints from several SPPGs following the policy change and the issuance of BGN’s latest circular. He stated that these changes need to be explained openly, including the reasons and basis for consideration. “The issuance of implementation guidelines and technical instructions should be preceded by thorough studies and involve partners in the discussion and socialisation process,” Yusuf said. Regarding the incentive change, Yusuf emphasised that the Rp6 million daily incentive has been viewed as part of the return on investment made by partners to support the MBG programme. He therefore urged BGN to conduct an internal evaluation before implementing new policies. This evaluation is deemed important to ensure that the issued regulations do not conflict with other rules. Yusuf also encouraged BGN to involve partners and other stakeholders more in the policy-making process. He noted the difficulty of establishing formal communication with BGN since it was led by Dadan Hindayana and subsequently Nanik S Deyang. “We hope that every policy issued involves partners and related components, accompanied by sufficient socialisation so as not to cause confusion on the ground,” Yusuf stated. Additionally, Yusuf criticised the temporary suspension of SPPG activities during school holidays. He said volunteers and small business actors involved in MBG would be affected, especially as MBG has become a source of income supporting daily needs and business continuity. “We are questioned by volunteers, ‘Sir, we need this money for school fees.’ Then we are asked by small businesses, ‘Why must it be stopped? Our business must continue, it cannot be interrupted,’” Yusuf said, recounting the complaints from SPPG volunteers and partner small businesses. Yusuf also questioned the administrative and financial governance within the MBG programme. He noted that foundations, as the parties signing the cooperation agreements, bear responsibility for managing accounts, reporting, and SPPG administration, even though the foundations only receive goods orders and invoices from suppliers to be forwarded to relevant parties. “If administrative problems, financial accountability, or other issues arise, the foundation will be held accountable,” Yusuf said. Previously, BGN was seeking to improve efficiency in the MBG programme, one measure being the cessation of the flat Rp6 million daily incentive to all nutritional service units.