Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa led officials from the Finance Ministry to monitor the free nutritious meal program (MBG). The monitoring was conducted at 20 random locations to assess the program's execution, whether it has a positive impact on the economy, or if it is detrimental to the government.
"To see whether the program is executed properly or not. We just want to ensure that the program runs properly and has an impact on the economy," said Purbaya during a meeting at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Office, Jakarta, on September 26, 2025.
The former Chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Deposit Insurance Corporation mentioned that the involvement of Finance Ministry officials at the regional level in monitoring the MBG program is part of their duty to review every ongoing program. "The purpose is so that I won't be troubled if this program is audited in the future," he said.
Purbaya stated that the random monitoring of the MBG program in 20 locations actually assists the Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, in ensuring that the government's allocated funds are absorbed properly. He also signaled that if there are unused or poorly distributed MBG funds, the government will withdraw them.
At the same location, Dadan explained that the realization of the MBG budget usage will continue to increase, in line with the addition of Nutritious Meal Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens. "The absorption of BGN funds is positively correlated with the number of beneficiaries and is synonymous with the formed SPPG," said Dadan.
Each SPPG that is established causes Rp900 billion to be absorbed in a month. According to Dadan, the trend of MBG kitchen development is predicted to continue rising. It is estimated that by the end of September, the number will reach 10,000. Thus, by mid-October, Rp4 trillion will be absorbed.
As is known, the government has allocated Rp71 trillion from the state revenue and expenditure budget (APBN) for the MBG program in 2025. Initially, President Prabowo Subianto had approved an additional budget of Rp100 trillion for this year. However, Dadan explained that the additional funds would only amount to Rp28 trillion. "So, Rp71 trillion plus Rp28 trillion for this year," he said.
Previously, the Finance Ministry recorded that, by August 2025, only Rp13.2 trillion had been realised from the MBG fund. Dadan stated that as of today, Friday, September 26, the absorbed MBG budget reached only Rp19.3 trillion.
– Ilona Estherina contributed to the writing of this article