House Passes Rp240.2tn Budget for Free Meal Program 2027 - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX has approved a fiscal year 2027 budget allocation of Rp240.2 trillion for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to execute the government's flagship free meal program. The decision was reached during a joint hearing with House Commission IX, the Head of BGN, and the Head of the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM).

“Do you all agree?” asked House Commission IX Deputy Chair Yahya Zaini while seeking consensus from attendees in the Commission IX meeting room at the DPR complex in Jakarta on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Commission IX members voiced their approval.

According to the meeting's conclusions, the funding breaks down into two core programs: national nutrition fulfillment at Rp232.8 trillion and administrative management support at Rp7.3 trillion.

In addition to the program-level breakdown, House Commission IX also approved the budget allocation by Echelon I units. The bulk of the budget goes to the Deputy for Supply and Distribution, receiving Rp232.5 trillion. Meanwhile, funding for other Echelon I working units includes Rp7.2 trillion for the Secretariat General and Rp35 billion for the Inspectorate General.

For other deputy-level bodies and supporting centers, funding includes Rp29.3 billion for the Deputy for Systems and Governance, Rp76.5 billion for the Deputy for Promotion and Cooperation, and Rp51.2 billion for the Deputy for Monitoring and Supervision. The remaining funds are designated for the Data and Information Center at Rp154.4 billion and the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Office at Rp38 billion.

During his presentation, BGN Head Sudaryono outlined an initial proposal of Rp232.5 trillion earmarked for the 2027 nutrition provision and distribution program. The initiative targets 72,464,886 beneficiaries nationwide in 2027, including school children, toddlers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers across Indonesia.

Data submitted by BGN indicates that funding is split across two main operations: delivering nutrition to school children, and supporting pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers. Under the first category, BGN aims to reach 60,599,777 beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the second category targets 11,865,109 individuals.

BGN's final budget allocation for fiscal year 2027 incorporates a Rp30 trillion efficiency reduction from its initial baseline. BGN’s original indicative budget was set at Rp270.82 trillion referred to the Joint Decree from the Finance Minister dated May 7, 2026. However, central government policy adjustments prompted a budget revision a few months later.

"There was an efficiency cut of Rp30 trillion, particularly in the nutrition fulfillment budget, bringing the 2027 BGN budget allocation to Rp240.20 trillion. This figure forms the basis of the work plan and budget presented today," Sudaryono said during the Commission IX meeting.

Sudaryono assured that the vast majority of the budget goes directly toward community nutrition fulfillment in the field, with the remainder supporting operational management.