TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) said it will suspend the distribution of free student meals under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the upcoming school holiday period
Previously, beneficiaries of the MBG program received take-home meal packages to cover days when schools were closed.
“There will be no MBG distribution during the school holiday,” BGN media expert Hanibal Wijayanta told Tempo via WhatsApp on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Tempo sought further clarification from BGN Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang regarding the reason for the policy change. However, a person identifying themselves as Nanik’s personal assistant referred inquiries to Hanibal.
Former BGN Deputy Head Sony Sanjaya said the decision was linked to government budget adjustments.
“Previously, if there were holidays on Wednesday and Thursday, meals for those days would be distributed in advance as takeaway packages. That is no longer the case,” Sony said in a written statement on May 26.
According to Sony, BGN has also reduced the distribution schedule from six days to five days a week as part of efficiency measures. Meals will now only be provided on active school days.
“We support the government’s budget efficiency efforts. One form of BGN’s support is changing the MBG distribution pattern from six days to five days,” he said.
Under the new policy, students will receive meals only when attending classes at school.
“The concept is that MBG is provided when students are at school. If students are on holiday or participating in activities outside school, the meals will not be distributed,” Sony said.
The policy change comes amid an ongoing corruption investigation involving the MBG program.
On June 3, investigators from the Attorney General’s Office named Sony, former BGN head Dadan Hindayana, and former deputy head Lodewyk Pusung as suspects in a corruption case linked to the program.
The investigation focuses on alleged irregularities in the management of MBG projects between 2025 and 2026. Prosecutors suspect the existence of a scheme involving the buying and selling of SPPG points in project implementation.
The three suspects have been charged under Indonesia’s Criminal Code and anti-corruption laws.
Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Indonesia Mulls Community-Based Kitchens for Free Nutritious Meals
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