BGN Allows MBG Kitchens to Switch Foundations Over Unfair Financial Demands - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has officially opened a pathway for Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG, also known as MBG Kitchens) partners to switch the foundations overseeing them. This policy addresses the widespread issue of foundations demanding financial contributions without making any tangible contribution to the quality of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
"We are providing an opportunity for partners who feel disadvantaged to change their overseeing foundation, particularly if that foundation fails to contribute to kitchen operations," stated BGN Head Sudaryono in a video statement on Sunday, September 4, 2026.
Sudaryono revealed that the BGN had discovered practices where certain foundations demanded payments of up to Rp2,000 per portion while neglecting kitchen operations and guidance. This situation places a burden on partners and risks compromising the nutritional quality of the meals provided to beneficiaries. He emphasized that the management of the MBG budget must be transparent and focused entirely on providing high-quality meals.
As a follow-up measure, the BGN has established separate registration channels for foundations and partners. Through this portal, partners can apply to switch to a new foundation and submit evidence regarding the obstacles or financial losses experienced during their previous collaboration.
The BGN asserts that every application will be processed according to procedure to foster a healthier and more accountable partnership ecosystem. "Ultimately, we want the implementation of the MBG program to ensure that the allocated funds are truly converted into high-quality, nutritious meals, with transparent accountability," Sudaryono said.
Instances of foundations deducting MBG kitchen incentives were previously exposed by Tempo on July 4, 2026, in a report titled "Corruption Loopholes in Foundation Deductions of MBG Kitchen Incentives." The report highlighted corruption risks arising from the BGN's cooperation scheme, which allows for the involvement of third parties in the program's implementation. In practice, not all foundation owners also serve as the operators of the SPPG (Nutritious Meal Service Unit, or the MBG Kitchens). Many foundations are merely registered administratively as partners of the BGN (National Nutrition Agency) and may hold rights to up to ten kitchens; however, the actual management of these kitchens is often handed over to investors—third parties acting as facility providers for the MBG (Nutritious Meal) program.
Arif Wicaksono (a pseudonym), a kitchen facility provider partner in Central Java, stated that the MBG kitchen he manages does not benefit from the Rp6 million daily facility incentive provided by the BGN. This is because the foundation demands a daily remittance of Rp7.5 million.
This remittance amount actually exceeds the facility incentive received by the kitchen—even though that incentive is intended to help offset the investment costs for the kitchen facilities, which reach approximately Rp2.5 billion per SPPG unit.
According to Arif, this situation forces kitchen operators to find ways to cover the cost shortfall, such as by cutting costs on the procurement of food ingredients.
