West Kalimantan authorities delayed new SPPGs and stopped 45 existing units of Indonesia’s Free Meals (MBG) program. This led to lower monthly expenditures on the program in May and June 2026. Treasury officials claimed that as of July, they had reported 510 SPPGs. The Finance Ministry was still assessing efficiency, governance and program delivery in the province for improvement.

PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—The government halted the expansion and evaluated the operating spending of dozens of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs). This reduced spending on Indonesia’s Free Meals (MBG) Program in West Kalimantan in May and June 2026.

Head of the Regional Office of the Treasury Directorate General (DJPb) in West Kalimantan, Rahmat Mulyono, said that until July the province has formed 510 SPPGs. Still, 45 units were off-line and not accessible for service.

“Regarding developments within BGN, there is a moratorium, so no new SPPGs are being added temporarily. Several SPPGs have been suspended and have not yet started operating,” Rahmat said.

In June, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) imposed the suspension as part of a nationwide effort to improve governance and refocus beneficiary coverage. The effort aimed to upgrade existing kitchens to standard operations and food quality.

BGN said the strategy was to improve the efficiency of the expenditure without harming the quality of the meals, according to ANTARA.

The effect on expenditure is direct. BGN ceases to send operating financing to the SPPGs in suspension. Under the BGN policy, officials must inspect the condition of each kitchen before authorizing payment.

The lower monthly payouts were also a result of a wider spending-efficiency agenda by the Finance Ministry, Rahmat added.

“The Finance Ministry has evaluated several areas where it can make spending more efficient, allowing us to redirect funds to other priority activities,” he said.

DJPb did not report the May and June sums spent separately for the rupiah. The reported decline refers to monthly expenditure flows, not cumulative budget realization. Cumulative budget realization generally increases as the government makes payments throughout the fiscal year.

As of July 22, 2026, data from the Finance Ministry showed that MBG had reached 1,009,284 people through 510 SPPGs in West Kalimantan. Data published by the DJPb shows that the target for the province was 586 kitchens and 1,250,037 recipients.

Regional fiscal analysis showed cumulative spending on MBG reached Rp646.78 billion in the first quarter of 2026. It also mentioned wastewater systems, sanitary certificates, and other technical criteria as reasons for the cooking halt.

The review recorded 97 suspended SPPGs as of May 20. Total suspension numbers may change as kitchens resolve problems and pass reinspections.

The Finance Ministry is also performing regional assessments, including surveys in West Kalimantan, to monitor delivery of programs. They provide recommendations on future policy adjustments.