BGN Chief Says MBG Program Arrears Internal Problem, BGN Obligations Completed

{"data":{"content":"JAKARTA, KOMPAS– The arrears that have not been paid by the foundation that manages the Free Nutritious Meals or MBG program to the catering service provider for the Kalibata area, Pancoran, South Jakarta is considered an internal problem that has not been resolved. Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency revealed that all payments have been completed.","content_type":"","model":""}}

{"data":{"content":""This (arrears in catering service payments) is an internal partner problem. The obligations of the BGN (National Nutrition Agency) have been fulfilled. We just understood that the facility owner and the foundation are different parties. The cooperation mechanism between them has not been a concern for BGN," said the Head of the National Nutrition Agency Dadan Hindayana when contacted in Jakarta, Wednesday (16/4/2025).","content_type":"","model":""}}

This (arrears of catering service payments) is an internal problem of the partner. The obligation of BGN (National Nutrition Agency) is complete.

{"data":{"content":"With the report of arrears in payments to catering services by the MBG program management foundation in South Jakarta, the National Nutrition Agency will also conduct a detailed examination. From current data, there are at least 1,072 nutritional fulfillment service units (SPPG) operating in Indonesia to support the MBG program.","content_type":"","model":""}}

The losses experienced by the catering service provider ultimately led to the closure of the MBG kitchen operations. The closure occurred in mid-March 2025. However, in a confirmation to the person in charge of the foundation managing the MBG program, the outstanding unpaid fees were stated to be untrue. Claims have been settled with the catering service provider.

With this report, Dadan said, improvements and evaluations will be made. "Starting this week, the payment pattern is not reimbursement, but down payment. For this down payment alone, BGN has completed it," he said.

In a separate communication, Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Edy Wuryanto stated that the issue of arrears occurring with catering service providers in Kalibata, South Jakarta, may only be the tip of the iceberg that has been reported and revealed to the public. This issue is also very regrettable in the implementation of the MBG program, which has only recently commenced.

Catering service providers are strategic partners in the implementation of MBG. Therefore, it is essential that catering service providers are not disadvantaged in the execution of the MBG program. The National Nutrition Agency has the authority to ensure that the implementation process of the MBG program runs smoothly, including in financial aspects.

"BGN has placed accounting in every kitchen. This is important so that income and financial management can be controlled properly. Don't let any deviations occur," he said.

In addition, Edy added that technical regulations that detail the authority and responsibilities of each party involved in the implementation of the MBG program are also important. Financial governance and detailed kitchen management must be specified in these technical regulations.

In the report submitted by the legal counsel for the catering service provider who has not been paid, it was also stated that the price of the MBG portion unit that was paid was unilaterally changed by the foundation managing the MBG program. Previously, each portion was priced at IDR 15,000, then it was reduced to IDR 13,000, until finally the catering service provider only got IDR 10,500 per portion (Kompas.id, 4/15/2025).

"It would be advisable for the Head of BGN to promptly issue clear regulations that can serve as a governance reference for every kitchen in Indonesia to prevent undesirable occurrences such as this," he said.