Zulhas and Sudaryono Crack Down on MBG Collusion, from Foundations to CCTV
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has drawn attention to alleged collusion in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, particularly involving the establishment of foundations that work with Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).
Zulhas said the government was cleaning up practices considered improper in the programme. He referred to foundations being set up to select particular locations before entering into partnerships.
“In the past, foundations were set up, locations were selected, and then they entered into partnerships — collusion. That is what is being cleaned up,” Zulhas said at a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday (19 October 2026).
He stressed that such practices must not happen again. The government may also take deliberate violations to court.
“These kinds of things must not happen again; they are being completely cleaned up. And if there is a deliberate mistake, clearly and unmistakably, it can be taken to court,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Sudaryono said his agency was also making improvements to MBG kitchens, from operational inspections to correcting beneficiary data.
The BGN is also tightening compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards. Kitchens found to have problems, including with waste processing and cleanliness, may have their operations suspended temporarily or permanently.
In addition, the BGN is piloting the integration of CCTV feeds from MBG kitchens with a central monitoring centre. The system will be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“We are working to integrate CCTV. All the kitchens already have CCTV, but the footage is currently used only internally by each kitchen. We are piloting the transfer of CCTV feeds to the centre at around 70 kitchens. We will add artificial intelligence (AI) so that we can monitor SOP compliance,” Sudaryono said at the same event.