Jakarta – The Indonesian government is accelerating bureaucratic reforms as part of a comprehensive evaluation to enhance the effectiveness of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG). Efforts focus on improving governance, strengthening institutions, and coordinating across sectors to ensure the program is accountable and has a tangible impact on communities.
Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Rini Widyantini said the government is preparing a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on MBG governance, as well as a draft Perpres on the organizational structure of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), to reinforce program implementation.
“The PANRB Ministry ensures that governance is implemented meticulously. MBG focuses not only on providing free nutritious meals but also on the supporting ecosystem from various ministries and agencies,” she explained.
Rini emphasized that the reform goes beyond structural adjustments and aims to accelerate cross-ministerial policy implementation. Strengthening governance from central to regional levels ensures the program’s benefits reach the public.
The new regulations will also reinforce supporting systems, including infrastructure, partnerships, and inter-agency coordination. The BGN, as the main implementing body, will focus on enhancing the capacity of Regional Nutrition Fulfillment Offices (KPPG) to improve accountability, expedite fund disbursement, and ensure closer service to communities.
In response to recent Extraordinary Events (KLB) in some regions, the government conducted rapid evaluations. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan confirmed corrective measures were taken per the President’s instructions to ensure MBG’s safety and target accuracy. The BGN also closed all Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) implicated in these incidents.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin added that oversight will extend to beneficiary schools, with checks on color, smell, texture, and potential contamination before meals are distributed. Additionally, biannual health and growth monitoring of child beneficiaries will be conducted, including free medical examinations.
These measures highlight that bureaucratic reform is not only about structural organization but also serves as a key instrument to strengthen public governance. Through integrated supervision and cross-ministerial coordination, the government aims to ensure MBG effectively meets national nutrition needs while building public trust in the bureaucracy.
