Jakarta, Oct. 3 -- The Finance Ministry has reported a threefold increase in budget absorption for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following a shift from a reimbursement-based payment system.

Director General of Treasury, Astera Primanto Bhakti, explained at a press conference on Friday that until April 2025, MBG disbursements were made through reimbursement, with payments processed only after nutrition service units (SPPG)-the MBG's kitchens-submitted expenditure claims.

"After April, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) began submitting plans for the next 10 days, which we review and then pay in advance. If we look at the realization data, the pace has already picked up. From June through September, absorption has tripled," Bhak...