Waiting for KPK's Action in the Middle of the BGN Procurement Budget Controversy

JAKARTA - The controversy over the procurement budget for technology devices at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is getting hotter. In the procurement document, one of the devices is priced twice the market price.

Not long ago, the non-profit and independent journalism organization Project Multatuli released the results of an in-depth analysis regarding the use of public tax money by BGN. Through data on procurement of goods, services, and spending in 2025 downloaded from the Government Procurement Policy Agency (LKPP), this organization found a number of striking figures that triggered a big question mark regarding budget efficiency.

One of the large budgets relates to the purchase of tablet computers for the Indonesian Development Drivers (SPPI) which total Rp508.4 billion. This figure is used specifically for the procurement of BGN tablets, and one of the devices listed is the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) smells an indication of a violation in the selection mechanism of the provider.

Sarjana Penggerak is a paramilitary education project initiated by Prabowo Subianto. Under the auspices of the Reserve Component (Komcad), civilians are trained militarily through the Defense University to be placed as heads of MBG kitchen units at the sub-district and district levels.

The procurement of these tablets is widely discussed by netizens on social media. One of the devices listed is the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5, which in the INAPROC e-catalog is priced at IDR 17.93 million per unit. In fact, the same tablet is sold on the market with a range of IDR 8 million per unit.

With a total of Rp508.4 billion, BGN can buy around 28,359 units of tablets at the e-catalog price. One of the provider companies is PT Mitrawira Hutama Teknologi (MHT), which recorded a transaction of around Rp84.7 billion.

In addition to MHT, procurement is also carried out through several other vendors at similar prices. In each catalog, the number of units available ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 units. If all purchases are made at the same price, then the total procurement value is in accordance with the number of units planned.

In the process of preparing the technical specifications, ICW suspects that the Commitment Maker Officer (PPK) has directed the specifications on a specific product or brand, namely the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5. This practice, said ICW, is contrary to the procurement principles set out in the LKPP Regulation Number 12 of 2021 which prohibits the mention of brands specifically without valid justification, because it has the potential to limit business competition.

In addition, ICW also indicated violations in the selection mechanism of suppliers. Referring to Article 9 of Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2021 and its amendments, the Budget User in this case the Head of BGN is tasked with determining the supplier for procurement packages with a value above Rp. 100 billion.

However, the realization data suggests that it is suspected that the procurement package has been broken into nine packages, with most of the packages having the same contract value.

"This practice is suspected to avoid complex procurement categories that require additional provisions, such as the obligation to obtain opinions from contract lawyers and the use of pre-qualification methods," ICW said in a statement received by VOI.

This is contrary to Article 20 paragraph (2) of Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2018 and its amendments which explicitly prohibit the breaking up of procurement packages with the aim of avoiding tenders or selections.

Regarding the quite large price difference, ICW indicated that there was an alleged mark-up of around IDR 7.95 million per unit, so that when it was totaled, the potential mark-up was estimated at IDR 238.5 billion.

With the alleged elements of illegality and alleged mark-up, ICW urges the KPK to immediately conduct an investigation into the procurement.

"If the KPK does not dare to handle the alleged corruption in the presidential priority program, this can lower public confidence in the KPK, and give the impression that the presidential priority program is immune from the law even though the alleged violations have been blatantly clear," he said.

The spotlight on this procurement adds to the list of budget polemics in the BGN environment in recent times. Previously, the public was shocked by the procurement of socks for field officers in the BGN program.

The procurement includes about 17,000 pairs of socks with a total value of Rp. 6.9 billion, or around Rp. 100 thousand per pair. This policy has reaped various perceptions, including the assumption that the spending is not relevant to the priority of the nutrition program.

Another issue that went viral was the procurement of electric motorcycles for the operational needs of the Head of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG). The Head of BGNDadan Hindayana previously had clarified to respond to the news.

"The procurement of this motorcycle is indeed included in the 2025 budget and its function is to support the operations of the Head of SPPG," said Dadan in Jakarta.

Dadan also denied the news that there was a procurement of up to 70,000 units of electric motorcycles. He emphasized that the information was not true. The realization of procurement is only 21,801 units out of a total of 25,000 units ordered in 2025.