Purbaya Ensures No Motorcycles for MBG Programme in 2026
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has assured that there will be no purchases of electric vehicles for the operations of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in 2026. The State Treasurer admitted to being caught off guard as the budget for procuring electric motorcycles had been allocated last year.
He suspects that the procurement of electric motorcycles in 2025 occurred due to a communication error. “There will be no more this year. Last year, there was probably a miscommunication from my subordinates to me,” he said at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
Based on his recollection, Purbaya had previously rejected the procurement request. However, some funding proposals were approved. He also suspects that others were submitted before he took office as Finance Minister.
The purchase of MBG electric motorcycles had previously sparked widespread discussion due to a viral social media video showing electric vehicles with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) logo. The video led to speculation that up to 70,000 units had been bought.
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana stated that the procurement of these electric motorcycles was part of the 2025 budget planning, not a sudden new programme. In total, the realisation of the electric motorcycle procurement reached 21,801 units out of an initial plan of 25,644 units. Dadan also emphasised that claims of 70,000 units were untrue.
“The procurement of these electric motorcycles was planned in the 2025 budget as part of the support for MBG programme operations, particularly to enhance the mobility of SPPG heads,” Dadan said, as quoted from Antara on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
According to Dadan, the budget for electric vehicles for the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) was included in the End-of-Year Budget Collection Account (RPATA), which complies with the Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK). At the end of 2025, he said, the Committing Officials (PPK) had submitted Payment Order Letters (SPM), so the budget entered the RPATA.
This mechanism complies with PMK 84 of 2025. Payments were made in two stages: term 1 upon completion of 60 per cent of the units and term 2 for completion up to 100 per cent of the units. Dadan added that by the end of the opportunity period on 20 March 2026, the supplier had only managed to deliver 85.01 per cent, or 21,801 units out of the 25,644 contracted units.