Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency has partnered with prosecutors to strengthen oversight of funds used in the government’s Free Nutritious Meals program, amid public concerns over potential irregularities in spending.The agency, known as BGN, said it signed a cooperation agreement with the intelligence unit of the Attorney General’s Office to prevent corruption, collusion, and nepotism in program implementation nationwide.“We are always open to public monitoring, and now we are working with the AGO to further strengthen oversight,” BGN Head Dadan Hindayana told reporters after a meeting at the AGO headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday.He said the partnership would expand supervision of nutrition fulfillment service units, or SPPGs, which operate program kitchens across all 38 provinces.Hindayana said the move followed concerns raised on social media over alleged price markups of food ingredients in reports submitted by some SPPG operators.The agency oversees 25,570 SPPGs nationwide, making robust monitoring essential to ensure proper governance and program quality, he said.Under the scheme, the government disburses monthly funds directly to each kitchen’s virtual account to support operations.“SPPGs in Java and Sumatra receive about Rp1 billion (US$59,000) per month on average, while those in eastern regions such as Papua receive higher allocations due to more expensive ingredients,” Hindayana said.He added that the AGO’s intelligence network, which extends to rural areas, would help improve supervision and early detection of potential violations.In addition to the new partnership, BGN has established an internal monitoring unit and is coordinating with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency, or BPKP, to audit program spending.The strengthened oversight framework is expected to improve accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.Hindayana urged all SPPG operators to strictly comply with government regulations, including standard operating procedures and technical guidelines.He said adherence to these rules is critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring that the program delivers its intended benefits to communities.The Free Nutritious Meals program is one of the government’s flagship initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and supporting vulnerable groups across Indonesia.