Indonesian DPR Member Calls for Sale of Electric Motorcycles in Free Nutrition Program

Irma Suryani Chaniago, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives and chair of the NasDem Party executive board, has proposed that electric motorcycles purchased for the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG, Makan Bergizi Gratis) be sold off. Speaking to journalists on June 18, 2026, Chaniago argued that the motorcycles are inefficient, noting that most SPPG (nutrition service unit) leaders already own their own motorcycles and therefore have no need for the government-provided vehicles.

Chaniago also called for a comprehensive evaluation of the program's incentive structure. She argued that the current flat daily incentive of Rp 6 million per nutrition service unit should be adjusted based on actual meal distribution volume, with units serving 3,000 meals receiving different compensation than those serving 2,500 or 2,000. This position aligns with recent statements from Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Agustina Arumsari, who confirmed that uniform incentive payments would be reconsidered following a review of beneficiary data.

Beyond efficiency concerns, Chaniago emphasized that the MBG program should be more narrowly targeted to genuinely needy students. She contended that students in elite schools at the kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels should not receive free meals, while low-income students in poorer regions should continue to benefit from the program to strengthen their immune systems. Additionally, Chaniago recommended that BGN revoke operational permits for SPPG units operating from inadequate facilities that cannot be renovated, arguing that substandard physical infrastructure should disqualify units from operation.

Arumsari acknowledged that state-funded products and resources should be maximized for their intended use, noting that budget optimization involves reviewing items already purchased in previous years. However, she emphasized that decisions about specific items such as motorcycles would be evaluated as part of a broader efficiency strategy rather than in isolation. The debate reflects ongoing efforts by Indonesia's legislature and nutrition agency to assess and improve the targeting and resource allocation of the country's flagship student nutrition program.