Governance Transformation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program

Background. The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program launched by the government of President Prabowo Subianto experienced an institutional shock in June 2026, when the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, and two of his deputies were designated as suspects in a corruption case by the Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Indonesia. Corruption in the form of fictitious procurement and mark-ups worth Rp 1 trillion forced a change of leadership and a comprehensive policy restructuring. The new head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, introduced a new paradigm: a moratorium on the construction of new SPPGs, a maximum limit of 6 SPPGs per sub-district, refocusing beneficiaries to vulnerable groups and 3T areas, as well as the discourse on the use of school canteens as an alternative to MBG kitchens. Methods. This study uses a descriptive-qualitative policy analysis approach by examining BGN policy documents, media reports, and official statements from officials. Results. The results of the analysis show that the paradigm shift from a centralized model (large SPPG) to a school-based decentralized model has significant potential for budget efficiency, but faces regulatory obstacles because Presidential Decree No. 115 of 2025 has not yet recognized school canteens as legitimate SPPGs. Conclusion. This article maps the strategic implications for three groups of business actors: SPPGs that are suspended, SPPG buildings whose moratoriums are pending, and potential new investors. In addition, opportunities for new, more resilient supply chains in the post-reform MBG ecosystem are identified.