Purbaya Acknowledges Early Setbacks in Free Meals Program

Indonesia's Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, has acknowledged that the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is facing early implementation challenges. These hurdles primarily concern the readiness of the supply chain, food distribution networks, and overall logistics capacity, especially in the country's frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) regions.

"The government is not turning a blind eye to the realities in the field," Purbaya stated during a plenary session of the House of Representatives on July 14, 2026. His remarks were in response to concerns raised by the Democratic Party Faction regarding the program's initial rollout. To address these constraints, the government is preparing measures to bolster the supply chain and logistics infrastructure.

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The government is not turning a blind eye to the realities in the field.

One key strategy involves encouraging the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) to empower local production centers, Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and local suppliers. The aim is for SPPG to directly source food ingredients from local farmers, breeders, and fishermen, thereby strengthening the raw material supply and boosting the economic impact of the MBG program for regional communities.

The MBG program has recently drawn scrutiny due to corruption allegations investigated by the Attorney General's Office. Several individuals, including former officials of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and business figures, have been named as suspects. Despite these issues, Head of the President's Staff Office Dudung Abdurachman affirmed that the program will continue, with necessary improvements being made.

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The government is not turning a blind eye to the problems that have occurred.