Jakarta. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Friday he supports deeper budget cuts to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free nutritious meals program, even if the reductions exceed Rp 40 trillion ($2.2 billion), as the government seeks to improve oversight and curb inefficiencies in one of the country’s largest social spending initiatives.
Purbaya said the proposal to reduce spending originated from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, and not from the Finance Ministry.
“I agree, especially if the budget can be cut even further, as long as the program continues to run,” Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta, referring to discussions with BGN chief Nanik S. Deyang.
The comments come as the government undertakes a broad restructuring of the MBG program, one of President Prabowo’s signature policies aimed at improving nutrition among schoolchildren, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
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Purbaya said BGN had presented proposals showing that the program could operate with a smaller budget than originally planned. While he declined to provide details, he said the savings would be “quite significant” and would be announced by the agency itself.
The government has already reduced the program’s 2026 budget by Rp 67 trillion, lowering the annual allocation to Rp 268 trillion. Purbaya indicated that the eventual full-year spending requirement could fall below that figure.
“From the proposal I saw, there are better efficiencies that can still be achieved,” he said. “There is still some room for further reductions.”
The finance minister said the planned savings would be reported directly to President Prabowo, adding that recent leadership changes at BGN demonstrate the government’s determination to strengthen governance and improve spending efficiency.
“The fact that the previous head was replaced shows that President Prabowo is serious about improving governance and budget efficiency in the program,” Purbaya said.
The MBG program has come under increasing scrutiny following a corruption investigation involving former senior BGN officials. The Attorney General’s Office alleges that former agency executives manipulated the verification process to benefit affiliated foundations seeking contracts under the program.
Investigators are also examining allegations involving the sale of operating permits for local nutrition service units, known as SPPG kitchens, which distribute meals under the program.
The government originally targeted approximately 21,000 kitchens nationwide, but the number reportedly expanded to 27,877 units. Officials estimate the increase generated excess monthly spending of around Rp 1 trillion.
Operational challenges have also emerged. Hundreds of kitchens have temporarily suspended services because government funds have yet to be disbursed, raising concerns about the continuity of meal distribution.
Despite the difficulties, the program remains one of Indonesia’s largest social welfare initiatives. Government data show MBG spending reached Rp 88.15 trillion by May, serving more than 63 million beneficiaries across the country.
Purbaya said the Finance Ministry would strengthen oversight by deploying regional ministry officials to regularly monitor SPPG kitchens and review budget utilization.
“My staff in the regions will monitor these kitchens periodically,” he said. “We have the tools to oversee the budget, and if something is not right, we can take action.”
He added that the ministry is prepared to provide financial management personnel to assist BGN and strengthen the agency’s administrative capacity.
“If they need finance professionals from the Finance Ministry, we are ready to help,” Purbaya said. “The program should become better going forward.”
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