Purbaya states MBG efficiency could save Rp40 trillion per year

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that efficiencies in the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) could save the state budget up to Rp40 trillion per year.

These efficiencies are planned by reducing the number of operational days. The provision of MBG is proposed to be five days per week, down from the previous six days.

“It’s usually six days a week (for MBG), but he (the BGN Head) says five days. So there’s efficiency from MBG as well, with quite a significant reduction. He says it could save Rp40 trillion a year,” said Finance Minister Purbaya in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to him, this step demonstrates the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) efforts to achieve budget efficiencies amid volatile economic conditions due to global geopolitical conflicts.

“This isn’t me cutting it; it’s them (BGN) doing it themselves because they say there’s still room for efficiency in the current situation,” he stated.

The state treasurer explained that the efficiency plan originates from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). The policy announcement will also be delivered directly by BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.

He emphasised that the MBG budget efficiency is not included in the total efficiency value set by President Prabowo Subianto at Rp81 trillion.

The proposal to reduce MBG operational days to five is still preliminary and was presented during a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the government has allocated a budget of Rp335 trillion for the continuation of the MBG programme.

The expenditure channelled through ministries/institutions (K/L), specifically the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), amounts to Rp268 trillion. Meanwhile, the remaining Rp67 trillion is reserved, equivalent to 20 percent of the total budget.