JakartaPost-Apr 14
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is facing renewed scrutiny after its procurement reports revealed billions of rupiah allocated for the hiring of planners for various campaigns, from training for its workers to recreational activities, raising fresh criticisms of overspending on the free nutritious meal program overseen by the agency. Over the weekend, an online news outlet revealed details of the BGN’s spending in 2025, listing 31 procurement packages spread across 16 event management companies amounting to a total of Rp 113.9 billion (US$6.65 million). According to procurement data published by the National Procurement Agency (LKPP), some of the event packages are linked to the BGN’s office operations, including one for its headquarters in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, with an allocated budget of Rp 19 billion. Meanwhile, other packages range from regional meetings to outdoor programs, such as a fun run in Senayan, Central Jakarta, for International Anticorruption Day in December of last year, which was tagged at Rp 1.34 billion. The data quickly gained traction online, fueling criticism over spending priorities for the flagship free meals program amid budget cutbacks across government programs under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. The government has allocated Rp 335 trillion for the free meals program this year, which aims to cover over 82 million school students and pregnant women nationwide. It is currently facing a legal challenge at the Constitutional Court, with petitioners arguing that the program diverts funds from the education budget. BGN head Dadan Hindayana has since defended the spending, saying the use of event management services was necessary for a newly established agency that was still building its internal capacity. “The BGN does not yet have the internal resources to independently handle all the needs of large-scale activities,” Dadan told The Jakarta Post on Monday. He added that the event planners were needed to help with the free meals program’s public awareness campaigns, training events and technical meetings, noting that they all serve “to develop the BGN’s system and human resources”. Read more at:
