BGN strengthens MBG financial reporting to ensure accountability - ANTARA News Jawa Timur

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reassured the public of accountability in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, pledging continued efforts to train accountants at MBG kitchens to prepare reliable financial reports.

BGN Head Sudaryono emphasized that building the reporting capacity of accountants is essential to ensuring that public funds are used in a credible and accountable manner under the national priority program.

As quoted from an official channel on Tuesday, he reminded MBG kitchen accountants that they are responsible for transparency in the use of the program’s budget, which he stressed comes from the people.

Sudaryono warned that inadequate financial reports could cause losses to the state, potentially resulting in administrative sanctions, lawsuits, and criminal charges, particularly given the substantial state budget allocated to the MBG program.

With that in mind, he emphasized the importance of a sound level of synergy between BGN and the Ministry of Finance in keeping MBG budget use accountable to avert recurring troubles.

The BGN chief added that efforts to improve service quality for MBG beneficiaries must go hand in hand with strengthening public trust through accountable financial reporting.

“Going forward, there will always be improvements,” Sudaryono affirmed, reflecting on previous issues concerning budget management and reporting.

The government has proposed allocating Rp240 trillion (around US$13.5 billion) to sustain the MBG program under the Draft 2027 State Budget (RAPBN).

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa explained that the allocation would be used to provide MBG to 60.6 million residents nationwide next year, noting that it forms part of the Rp820.9 trillion earmarked for the education sector.

Regarding accountability, he said the Directorate General of Treasury had begun mobilizing its regional offices across Indonesia to survey MBG kitchens as part of efforts to strengthen budget oversight.

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