Purbaya Opens Possibility for Massive Cuts to Free Nutritious Meal Budget
Finance Minister Purbancya Yudhi Sadewa has opened the possibility for the budget of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to be cut again. In fact, the budget for this priority programme of President Prabowo Subianto is considered capable of being reduced to below Rp 200 trillion.
Purbaya stated that the MBG budget for this year was initially set at Rp 330 trillion. That budget subsequently underwent efficiency measures, dropping to approximately Rp 260 trillion, and has since decreased again to the range of Rp 240 trillion.
According to Purbaya, further budget efficiencies for the MBG are still achievable. He made this remark following discussions with the newly appointed Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono.
“The MBG budget for this year was initially Rp 330 trillion, then efficiency measures brought it down to around Rp 260 trillion, and then to around Rp 240 trillion. However, I spoke with the new head of the MBG agency, and it seems it can be made even more efficient, below Rp 200 trillion,” said Purbaya during the 2026 Seminar of 100 Indonesian Economists at the Kempinski Hotel, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (3/9/2026).
For next year, the government has allocated approximately Rp 240 trillion for the MBG programme. However, Purbaya believes this budget can still be lowered through efficiency and the utilisation of technology.
“Next year is also budgeted at Rp 240 trillion, but I am confident it can be pressed down further through efficiency and the use of technology,” Purbaya noted.
In addition to encouraging budget efficiency, Purbaya mentioned that the Ministry of Finance is also conducting oversight regarding the implementation of the MBG programme. This supervision is carried out to ensure the programme operates efficiently.
Ministry of Finance employees in various regions will monitor each Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), or MBG kitchen, on a rotational basis.
“Therefore, our employees in the regions will supervise each SPPG in turns. I hope that we can continuously improve the performance of the MBG moving forward,” Purbaya concluded.