TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, confirmed that there were no budget cuts for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. The differences in the price ceiling for raw materials are adjusted to the prices in different regions.

"Prices are adjusted to the cost. For example, in Papua and Jakarta, the raw material price limits are different, not the same," said Dadan in a text message on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

The claims of MBG budget cuts were previously brought up by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at a meeting with the BGN last Wednesday, March 5, 2025. KPK Chair Setyo Budiyanto said that the anti-corruption commission received information about the reduction in the price of MBG food that was not in accordance with the set price limit.

Setyo said that the MBG budget that should have been given to people, with a ceiling of Rp10,000, was then cut to Rp8,000. He was concerned that the price limit cut would affect the quality of the food.

In response, Dadan explained that the difference in the MBG budget price limit was actually not a new thing. He said that the difference in the raw material price limit had been happening since the onset of the program.

For example, he explained, students from 4th grade of Elementary School to Senior High School, including students at Islamic boarding schools, will receive a raw material budget of Rp10,000 for MBG. "Children from preschool to 3rd grade of Elementary School have a raw material budget of Rp8,000," said Dadan.

Even though there is a difference in the raw material budget, Dadan emphasized that it will not affect the quality and nutritional value of the food. 

He ensured that everything served by the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit or SPPG for MBG is closely checked for cleanliness, nutritional value, and other factors that attract people. "So the point is to adjust the cost. If there is extra money, it will be given back; if there is not enough, more will be added," said Dadan."

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