Jakarta. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said a proposal to procure motorcycles for the government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program had previously been rejected, stressing that the budget should remain focused on food provision as its primary objective.

The statement came after a viral video showing rows of electric motorcycles bearing the logo of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) circulated on social media.

Purbaya said the proposal, which also included computers,  had been submitted last year but was turned down as the government prioritized core spending for meal distribution.

“As far as I know, a proposal for motorcycles and computers was submitted last year and, if I’m not mistaken, it was rejected. For this year, I’m not yet aware. I will double-check,” Purbaya said at the Finance Ministry on Tuesday.

He emphasized that the rejection did not mean such procurement would be permanently disallowed. However, from a budgeting standpoint, the government wants to ensure the MBG program does not deviate from its main purpose of delivering nutritious meals.

Purbaya added that he has yet to verify whether a similar proposal has been approved for this year, noting that the Finance Ministry will reassess whether the budgeting treatment remains consistent with previous submissions.

BGN response

Separately, BGN head Dadan Hindayana confirmed that the procurement of electric motorcycles is included in the 2025 budget.

According to Dadan, the vehicles are intended to support the operational activities of heads of MBG kitchens (SPPG).

“The procurement of these motorcycles is indeed part of the 2025 budget. Their function is to support the operational needs of the kitchen heads,” he said in a press statement on Tuesday.

He added that the motorcycles have not yet been distributed, as all units must first undergo registration as state-owned assets (BMN) before they can be deployed.

“The motorcycles have not been distributed yet. Once everything is complete, they will be recorded as state-owned assets before distribution,” Dadan said.

BGN also denied claims that procurement had reached 70,000 units. Dadan said the figure was inaccurate, noting that the current realization stands at 21,801 units out of a total of 25,000 ordered for 2025.