Indonesia activates 480 nutrition kitchens amid MBG program corruption probe

The Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has begun activating 480 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across 16 provinces, prioritizing underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions and areas with high stunting rates. The activation includes 211 independent partner units and 269 remote units, starting with Eastern Indonesia.

Simultaneously, the Attorney General's Office has named three new suspects in a corruption case involving the procurement of electric motorcycles for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. The suspects include the Director of PT Yasa Artha Trimanunggal and two Directors from PT Agra Surya Energi. The investigation involves an estimated budget of Rp1.2 trillion.

BGN Head Sudaryono also reported conflicts between kitchen partners and overseeing foundations. Some foundations allegedly demanded mandatory payments from partners based on the number of meals distributed without contributing to operational costs. In Central Kalimantan, the program has already engaged over 4,700 workers and 905 suppliers, serving approximately 233,984 beneficiaries.