started · updated
Indonesia implements priority steps for Free Nutritious Meal program
The Indonesian government has announced four priority measures to improve the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, which has been operational since January 2025. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated the steps include accelerating distribution to underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions, improving the management of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), enhancing food safety and quality, and rectifying beneficiary data to prevent irregularities.
To support this, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has activated hundreds of new SPPGs across eastern Indonesia, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Bali. While the program is highly regarded in a national survey by Poltracking Indonesia as a beneficial priority, the National Economic Council (DEN) noted that current distribution remains concentrated in urban areas and disproportionately reaches wealthy students rather than the poorest demographics.
In response to financial oversight, the BGN has returned Rp 160.37 billion to the state treasury following audits by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK). This amount addresses issues such as duplicate virtual account balances and budget accountability non-compliance. Additionally, the government is evaluating the results of buffet-style meal trials in Yogyakarta to determine if the method can be expanded nationwide.
Entities
Attorney General's Office · Dadan Hindayana · Indonesia · National Economic Council · National Nutrition Agency · Poltracking Indonesia · Prabowo Subianto · Zulkifli Hasan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government has identified four priority steps to improve the Free Nutritious Meal program. disway.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Poltracking Indonesia survey found 29.6 percent of respondents view MBG as the most beneficial government priority program. minews.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Attorney General's Office is investigating corruption allegations involving Dadan Hindayana in the MBG program. news.okezone.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The BGN activated 480 new SPPGs in 16 eastern Indonesian provinces on October 2, 2026. disway.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The BGN returned Rp 160.37 billion to the state treasury following BPK findings. news.republika.co.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The BGN is evaluating buffet-style meal trials conducted in Yogyakarta. jogjapolitan.harianjogja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The National Economic Council found that MBG recipients are more likely to be from wealthy families than poor families. www.riau1.com