Jakarta, March 20 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the temporary suspension of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during the Eid al-Fitr holiday could save several trillion rupiah in state spending.

"The MBG chief (Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana) has reported it, right? He said the program would be paused during the holiday. It saves quite a few trillion," Sadewa said when met at the State Palace here on Thursday.

"During the holiday, MBG will not be distributed, and that will result in significant savings. It will resume as usual afterward," he added.

The minister was referring to a statement by BGN Head Dadan Hindayana, who said the MBG program would be paused during Eid al-Fitr and cou...