Jakarta. The government is reviewing its flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program amid concerns over mistargeted recipients, operational problems, food poisoning cases, and a corruption probe involving alleged losses worth trillions of rupiah.

Chief Food Affairs Minister said on Thursday the government would reassess recipients of the MBG program, including students at elite schools considered capable of providing meals independently. The administration plans to redirect assistance toward poorer and remote regions, particularly Indonesia’s underdeveloped frontier and outermost areas.

“Those who truly need the program have not received it yet, while some who do not need it are benefiting,” Zulkifli said during a press conference in Jakarta.

The review comes as the government seeks to stabilize one of President ’s signature social programs, which aims to combat malnutrition while supporting local food supply chains. Authorities are also tightening oversight of MBG kitchens, known as SPPGs, following reports of food poisoning and poor hygiene standards.

Zulkifli said the government would no longer tolerate kitchens with inadequate sanitation or improper food sourcing practices. He added that suppliers should prioritize local cooperatives, village-owned enterprises, and small businesses rather than relying on outside distributors.

MBG spending reached Rp 88.15 trillion ($4.9 billion) by May, serving more than 63 million beneficiaries. However, the government has reduced the program’s 2026 budget by Rp 67 trillion to Rp 268 trillion.

State Secretary said the government is recalculating the program’s budget needs to improve efficiency further. “Based on our calculations, we believe there will be a reduction in the budget needed for the program,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office alleges that former senior officials at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) manipulated the verification process to favor affiliated foundations seeking MBG contracts.

The MBG program originally targeted around 21,000 kitchens nationwide, but the number reportedly increased to 27,877 due to alleged sales of SPPG operating permits involving former BGN chief and senior officials and . Officials estimate the increase has created excess monthly spending of around Rp 1 trillion ($55.57 million).

The program is also facing operational disruptions. Hundreds of kitchens have temporarily stopped operating because funding from the National Nutrition Agency has yet to be disbursed.

Presidential Chief of Staff said the government is reorganizing the agency and reviewing permits for kitchens that fail to meet operational standards.

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