Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto praised the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, for returning Rp70 trillion from the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program budget that went unused this year.
Speaking at the University of the Republic of Indonesia (UKRI) graduation ceremony in Bandung on Saturday (18/10/2025), he called the move “an extraordinary act of integrity and patriotism.”
“Usually, by November, officials rush to spend leftover funds. But Mr. Dadan chose to return Rp 70 trillion that’s around US$4 billion to the state. This almost never happens in our history,” said President Prabow, according to antaranews.com.
The President explained that the MBG program initially received Rp 71 trillion, later topped up with Rp100 trillion from government efficiency savings. However, building 30,000 MBG kitchens within a year proved challenging.
President Prabowo said the refunded funds will now be redirected to support the poor, farmers, and fishers.
(mg/inp/pr/rs)
