JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has completed 20 strategic studies, policy briefs and corruption risk assessments (CRA) in various national priority sectors throughout 2025, including the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
As a result, there is a systemic vulnerability that has the potential to open up room for corruption in the implementation of the government's flagship program of Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
The strategic study is an actualization of the KPK's monitoring and prevention function to provide improvement recommendations to related institutions or agencies.
"The scale of the program and the budget have not been balanced with an adequate regulatory framework, governance, and oversight mechanisms, which pose risks of accountability, conflict of interest, inefficiency, and the potential for corruption in its implementation," quoted from the attachment of the KPK Annual Report 2025, Friday, April 17.
The KPK's findings have a number of vulnerable points of corruption in the MBG program. First, regarding the procurement mechanism through Government Assistance (Banper)! which has the potential to extend the chain of implementation and increase the risk of conflicts of interest as well as weaken transparency and accountability.
Second, the implementation of MBG through the Government Assistance (Banper) mechanism poses a risk of extending the bureaucratic chain, potential rent, and reducing the portion of the food budget due to cuts in operating costs and rent.
"Third, the centralistic approach with BGN (National Nutrition Agency) as the sole actor marginalizes the role of local governments and weakens the check and balance mechanism in determining partners, kitchen locations, and supervision," the same report continued.
Fourth, the high potential for conflict of interest (CoI) in determining SPPG/kitchen partners due to centralized authority and unclear SOP. Fifth, weak transparency and accountability, especially in the verification and validation process of partner foundations, determination of kitchen locations, and financial reporting and accountability.
Sixth, many kitchens do not meet the technical standards of the SPPG, which has an impact on cases of food poisoning in various regions. Seventh, food safety supervision is not optimal, with minimal involvement of the Health Office and BPOM in accordance with their authority.
"Eight, there is no indicator of the success of the MBG program, both in the short and long term, and no baseline measurement of the nutritional status and academic achievement of the beneficiaries."
Based on these findings, the KPK recommends a number of things to the relevant institutions or agencies. First, immediately draft a comprehensive and binding regulation on the implementation of MBG, at least at the level of the Presidential Regulation, to regulate planning, implementation, supervision, and the division of roles across the K/L and Provincial Governments.
Second, review the Government Assistance mechanism, including the cost structure, implementation chain, and reasonableness of budget components, so as not to create rent and reduce the quality of nutrition services. Third, implement a limited collaborative and decentralized approach, by strengthening the role of local governments in determining beneficiaries, kitchen locations, and operational supervision.
"Fourth, clarify the SOP and SLA for the determination of foundation partners/SPPG, and ensure that the selection, verification, and validation processes are carried out transparently and accountable," the recommendation quoted.
Fifth, the KPK recommends strengthening food safety supervision, through the active involvement of the Health Service and BPOM in certification, kitchen inspections, and food quality supervision. Sixth, build a standardized financial reporting and verification system, to prevent fictitious reports, mark-ups, and deviations in the disbursement of funds.
"Finally, the KPK recommends that measurable indicators of MBG success be established, accompanied by baseline measurements of nutritional status and achievement of beneficiaries as the basis for evaluating the impact of the program on an ongoing basis."
The KPK reminded that MBG is a strategic program for mothers and children with a large allocation of funds. "It has increased from Rp. 71 trillion to Rp. 171 trillion."
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