Purbaya: Further Savings Planned for National Nutrition Agency Programme
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has disclosed that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing further budget efficiency measures for its programmes. The efficiency plan was conveyed directly by BGN Head Nanik S Deyang during a meeting with Purbaya at the Ministry of Finance office on Thursday, 25 June 2026. Although he has not yet revealed the amount of the budget to be saved, Purbaya indicated the figure is quite significant.
“Yesterday I met the head of BGN. She came here to report that there will be further savings from the BGN programme. I think it is quite significant, but the head of BGN will announce it later,” Purbaya said during a media briefing at his office in Jakarta on Friday, 26 June 2026.
Nevertheless, Purbaya assured that the BGN’s savings would not affect the meal portions of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG). “No (change), it remains the same. So, it is confirmed that the food will remain nutritious. I am not a nutritionist. What is clear is that the human resources are being improved. If I am not mistaken, they will hire more nutritionists there,” he said.
During the meeting with the BGN Head, Purbaya received a report on several obstacles faced by the agency in implementing the MBG programme, particularly regarding supervision in the regions. To address this issue, the Ministry of Finance is ready to deploy its personnel to the regions to assist in monitoring the operations of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).
“I said, if that is the case, then fine. Let the Ministry of Finance handle the regions. My people in the regions will monitor the SPPG periodically. So, I have the tools and I can control the budget. They agreed,” he stated.
Although he did not detail the amount of efficiency the BGN would undertake, Purbaya remains supportive of continued budget savings so that the MBG programme can keep running. “I agree (with the efficiency), especially if more is cut. Yes, but let the programme run,” Purbaya said.
It was previously reported that the government has cut the budget ceiling for the MBG programme in the 2026 State Budget (APBN) from the original Rp 335 trillion to Rp 268 trillion, and further savings are still to be made.