Anti-graft agency warns MBG budgeting and Banper disbursement flaws are creating overpayments and weak oversight.

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has criticised the financial governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme after finding about Rp12 trillion sitting idle in foundation accounts in 2025, raising red flags over overpayments and weak budget planning.

KPK Finds Massive Idle Balances In MBG Accounts
KPK deputy for prevention and monitoring Aminudin said that of the Rp85 trillion MBG budget in 2025, only about 60 per cent was actually spent, leaving large balances parked in the accounts of foundations managing Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). By end‑2025, around Rp12 trillion was still sitting in these accounts.

Automatic Transfers And Overpayments
The problem, KPK said, stems from routine fund transfers that did not factor in remaining balances. Once payment orders (SPM) were submitted, money kept flowing “transfer, transfer, transfer” regardless of how much was left in the virtual accounts, effectively creating government overpayments even if the excess was later returned. Aminudin argued that the state should first check what each foundation still holds and top up only when funds fall below a set threshold.

Critique Of Banper Scheme And Long Distribution Chains
Beyond idle funds, KPK questioned the use of the Bantuan Pemerintah (Banper) mechanism for MBG disbursements. Under current practice, the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) financial responsibility is treated as complete once money lands in a foundation’s virtual account, even though funds still have to move on to SPPG kitchens and food vendors. KPK said this long distribution chain increases inefficiency and weakens oversight, as it is harder to track leakages along multiple layers.

Weak Budget Planning And Repeated Top-Ups
Monitoring director Aida Zulaika said poor budget planning is a key issue, with additional allocations requested without seriously considering past absorption rates. She described MBG budget proposals as “inaccurate”, noting that spending performance in earlier periods was not properly assessed before new funds were sought, leading to large unspent sums sitting idle while new tranches were still being requested.

Recommendations And Next Steps For Oversight
KPK submitted its study and recommendations to BGN on March 17, 2026, calling for an overhaul of budgeting mechanisms and a review of the Banper scheme to better fit MBG’s characteristics. The commission plans deeper reviews this year covering budgeting, implementation and financial accountability to minimise misuse in the jumbo‑budget programme. It stressed that tightening governance now is crucial to prevent inefficiencies and potential corruption as MBG continues to scale.

KPK’s findings that Rp12 trillion in MBG funds lay idle in foundation accounts spotlight structural weaknesses in how Indonesia’s flagship free meal programme is financed and monitored. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the case underlines that even well‑intentioned nutrition programmes can leak value without accurate planning, tighter top‑up controls and clearer responsibility along every step of the funding chain.

Sources: Batampos (2026) , Jawa Pos (2026)

Keywords: Program Makan Bergizi Gratis, Rp12 Trillion Idle Funds, SPPG Foundations, Bantuan Pemerintah Banper, Budget Planning Weakness