Zulhas Reveals SPPG Waste of Rp 1 Trillion Per Month

The government has revealed a surge in the number of Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) for the free nutritious meal programme (MBG), causing state finances to haemorrhage an additional Rp 1 trillion per month. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan disclosed that the number of SPPG points, combining MBG kitchens in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions and outside 3T areas, has ballooned from the planned 21,000 to 27,877 points. He linked the increase of 6,877 points to alleged trading of SPPG allocations. ‘For example, there is buying and selling of points. The initial plan was 21,000 points, but now there are 27,877 points,’ Zulhas said after a coordination meeting at the Kemenko Pangan building on Thursday (11/6). He noted that in 3T regions alone, the initial plan was for 2,000 points, but the number swelled to 8,617, with 6,138 of those already holding decrees from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Zulhas estimated the excess points cost the MBG budget an additional Rp 1 trillion per month, or Rp 12 trillion annually, calling it a waste and urging BGN to carry out reforms. He also highlighted that many elite schools which do not need the programme are receiving it, while schools in need, particularly in 3T areas, remain untouched. Zulhas stressed a refocusing of beneficiaries and demanded improvements in kitchen quality and hygiene, stating there is zero tolerance for food safety incidents. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi indicated that the inflated SPPG points could potentially be closed, but they will first be reorganised according to field conditions and standard operating procedures. He also addressed circulating names of SPPG owners, emphasising that the issue is not ownership but compliance with rules. As a Gerindra Party elite, he asserted there was no institutional instruction for party cadres to own MBG kitchens. Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office has named a new suspect, private party Asep Yusuf Somantri, in the alleged MBG governance corruption case. He is accused of facilitating interventions in the partner verification process at the request of former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sonjaya, allowing manipulation of kitchen point registrations. The case already includes former BGN Head Dadan Hindayana and two former deputies.