Purbaya: Issues in Free Nutritious Meal Program Could Lead to Budget Cuts
Finance Minister Purbability Yudhi Sadewa has deployed the ranks of the Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) throughout Indonesia to monitor the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Supervision will extend to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) to ensure the programme’s execution complies with regulations.
Purbaya emphasised that any issues found during the programme’s implementation will be reported to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). If such issues are not addressed, the government may reduce the allocated budget.
“Therefore, I have deployed the Directorate General of Treasury personnel across Indonesia to periodically monitor the SPPGs existing in every region of Indonesia,” Purbaya said while speaking to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday (8/9/2026).
According to him, the DJPb ranks will conduct regular monitoring of SPPGs in various regions. The results of this monitoring will serve as input for the BGN should any problems be discovered in the programme’s execution.
“If there are any irregularities, we will provide feedback to the BGN, stating that a specific SPPG in a certain location is making mistakes. And if that is not heeded, we will automatically reduce their budget,” Purbaya stated.
On the other hand, Purbaya noted that the implementation of the MBG programme is currently beginning to show signs of efficiency. He highlighted the cost-saving measures being undertaken by the BGN in running the programme.
According to Purbaya, the initial budget requirement for the MBG was estimated at IDR 330 trillion. However, that figure subsequently dropped to IDR 270 trillion and then further decreased to approximately IDR 240 trillion.
He estimates that the budget requirement for the MBG this year could even fall below IDR 200 trillion if the efficiency measures implemented by the BGN proceed according to plan.
“The budget was originally IDR 330 trillion, then dropped to 270, then 240, and I believe this year’s implementation will be below that—perhaps below 200, my guess, if they implement policies as precisely as they assumed,” said Purbaya.
Purbaya mentioned that IDR 240 trillion currently serves as the maximum budget benchmark for the MBG programme. However, the final budget requirement will ultimately depend on the effectiveness of the efficiency measures carried out by the BGN.
“It is budgeted at IDR 240 trillion; that is the budget. However, we will see whether the efficiency measures currently being implemented by the BGN can truly drive it further down or not. But I believe the benchmark is there, at a maximum of IDR 240 trillion,” Purbaya concluded.