Purbaya remains focused on MBG efficiency following arrest of former National Nutrition Agency Head

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbability Yudhi Sadewa has stated that he remains focused on efforts to increase the efficiency of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme budget following the detention of the former Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, by the Attorney General’s Office.

Purbaya noted that matters regarding the leadership of the BGN fall under the authority of President Prabowo Subianto as the Head of State. The decision to remove the official was described as a result of the President’s evaluation of the BGN leadership’s performance.

“This is the President’s decision after evaluating his performance. We do not interfere. What is clear is that the figure is now (approximately) Rp260 trillion, which will decrease, right? Because of reductions in days and various other factors,” Purbaya said when confirmed by journalists at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

The Finance Minister previously stated that the government has reduced the MBG programme ceiling in the 2026 State Budget (APBN) from an initial Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion. This decision follows instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure that the MBG programme funds can be managed more efficiently.

As of 30 April, the realised budget distribution was recorded at Rp75 trillion, reaching 61.96 million beneficiaries and 27,952 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). The Finance Minister signalled that further budget savings for the MBG programme are forthcoming, although he has not yet detailed future plans.

Purbaya added that President Prabowo is currently improving the management of the MBG programme and the BGN’s methods of budget expenditure.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office has named three former BGN officials as suspects in an alleged corruption case involving the governance of the MBG programme for 2025-2026. The three individuals are the former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana (DH), the former Deputy Head of BGN for Organisational Development and Institutional Support Lodewyk Pusung (LP), and the former Deputy Head of BGN for Nutritional Fulfilment Operations Sony Sonjaya (SS). The Attorney General’s Office stated that the three are suspected of inflating the prices of procurement for electric motorcycles and footwear within the BGN.