Indonesia’s Free Meals Program MBG Faces Protests, Reforms and Corruption Probe

Partner groups operating the free‑meals kitchens warned they would shut down kitchens nationwide unless the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reforms the program. Thousands of operators have protested a government moratorium that halted the addition of 13,000 new kitchens, saying they have already invested in facilities and permits.

The finance ministry has ordered the Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) to enlist village‑owned enterprises, UMKM and local food suppliers to strengthen the supply chain, especially in remote areas. BGN says it has resumed distribution after a three‑week pause and is monitoring school meals for quality and timeliness.

A joint BGN‑KPK task force is reviewing the program’s governance after a corruption investigation identified seven suspects, including former BGN officials and a police brigadier. The attorney‑general’s office has halted a nationwide data‑collection drive on the program, citing the end of the inventory period, while the investigation continues.

Local officials, such as the mayor of Majalengka, have called for standardized menus to simplify oversight. Overall, the MBG program remains a flagship social‑aid initiative, but it faces legal scrutiny, budget pressures and demands for improved accountability.