TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing another round of budget savings for its programs, while assuring that the quality of the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program will not be affected.
Purbaya said the plan was presented by BGN Head Nanik S. Deyang during a meeting at the Finance Ministry on Thursday, June 25. While he did not disclose the amount of the proposed savings, he described it as "quite significant."
"Yesterday I met with the head of BGN. She came here and reported that there will be further savings from the BGN program. I think it's quite significant, but I'll let the head of BGN announce it later," Purbaya said during a media briefing in Jakarta on Friday, June 26, as quoted by Antara.
He stressed that the efficiency measures would not reduce the nutritional standards of meals provided under the MBG program.
"The meals will remain the same. It's confirmed that the food will continue to be nutritious," he said. "I'm not a nutrition expert, but what is clear is that they plan to strengthen their human resources. If I'm not mistaken, they will recruit more nutritionists."
According to Purbaya, the BGN chief also reported a number of challenges in implementing the nationwide meal program, particularly in overseeing operations in regional areas.
To improve supervision, the Finance Ministry is prepared to deploy its regional personnel to help monitor the operations of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), which are responsible for preparing and distributing meals under the program.
"I said, if that's the case, then the Finance Ministry will step in at the regional level. My staff in the regions will regularly monitor the SPPGs. That way, I have the means to oversee how the budget is being used. They agreed," he said.
Although he declined to specify the size of the planned budget cuts, Purbaya said he supports continued efficiency measures as long as they do not disrupt the program.
"I agree with the efficiency, especially if more savings can be made. But the program must continue," he said.
The government previously reduced the 2026 budget allocation for the MBG Program from Rp335 trillion (about US$20.5 billion) to Rp268 trillion (around US$16.4 billion) in the 2026 state budget, with further savings now under consideration.
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