BGN Requests Rp232.5 Trillion for 2027 Free Nutritious Meal Program

Jakarta: Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has proposed a budget of Rp232.5 trillion for the 2027 Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program during a working meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The proposed allocation for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program accounts for the vast majority of BGN's total requested 2027 budget, which totals approximately Rp240.15 trillion.

National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Sudaryono stated that approximately 97 percent of the agency's total budget will be allocated to the MBG program, with the remaining 3 percent set aside for operational and management costs. 

The MBG program is targeted to reach approximately 72 million beneficiaries in 2027. The plan was discussed during a joint meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), which also covered the program's execution and governance.

Sudaryono also explained that the BGN has implemented budget efficiencies for 2026. From an initial ceiling of around Rp268 trillion, the agency's budget for this year was trimmed to Rp229 trillion, marking a reduction of approximately Rp39 trillion. 

The BGN is currently conducting an audit into the utilization of these funds, which includes verifying the existence and operational status of recorded MBG service kitchens.

"We are continuing to sweep through and track them. We're checking whether there are kitchens that haven't actually been operating but were recorded as operational," Sudaryono said on Metro TV's Selamat Pagi Indonesia program on Friday, September 4, 2026.

If any suspected criminal activity is uncovered, the BGN will deploy its inspectorate and report the matter to the Attorney General's Office for investigation. 

"If there are indications of a criminal offense, we will deploy our inspectorate and report the matter to the Attorney General's Office for investigation," he said.

Sudaryono emphasized that oversight will also extend to central kitchens suspected of being affiliated with bad actors.

(Razaqa Hariz)