Purbaya: Free Nutritious Meal Programme Budget Absorption Maximum of Rp240 Trillion

Finance Minister Purbability Yudhi Sadewa stated that the budget absorption for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme this year is estimated to be a maximum of approximately Rp240 trillion. The government considers the implementation of the programme to be increasingly under control.

Purbaya noted that the MBG budget ceiling has undergone several adjustments. The budget, which initially reached around Rp330 trillion, decreased to Rp270 trillion and is now estimated to be in the range of Rp240 trillion.

“So, from Rp330 trillion, it dropped to Rp270 trillion, and then dropped again to Rp240 trillion. I believe the highest will be Rp240 trillion,” Purbaya said while speaking to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday (8/9/2026).

According to Purbaya, the government continues to monitor the implementation of the MBG on the ground. The Ministry of Finance has deployed personnel from the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) across various regions to monitor the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

“Therefore, I have deployed officials from the Directorate General of Treasury throughout Indonesia to periodically monitor the SPPGs present in every region of Indonesia,” he said.

This monitoring is conducted to ensure that the disbursed budget is truly used in accordance with the programme’s requirements. The government will also assess the progress of the MBG implementation before determining future budget needs.

Purbaya stated that if problematic SPPGs are found during implementation and fail to follow regulations, the government may adjust the budget.

“If there are SPKG units that are mismanaged, we will reduce their budget,” he added.

With such oversight, Purbaya believes the implementation of the MBG programme is becoming more controlled. The government also does not wish to prepare an excessively large budget if the actual implementation on the ground does not yet require the full ceiling.