{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1821885,
        "msgid": "brin-researcher-recommends-gradual-data-based-evaluation-of-free-nutritious-meal-programme-1782309301",
        "date": "2026-06-24 19:41:26",
        "title": "BRIN Researcher Recommends Gradual, Data-Based Evaluation of Free Nutritious Meal Programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "A researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has welcomed the government's openness to evaluating the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme but stressed that future improvements must be based on objective, measurable indicators rather than subjective labels. He also criticised the initial design for rushing towards universal coverage, suggesting a more targeted, phased approach would be more effective.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta (ANTARA) - Researcher Yanu Endar Prasetyo from the National\nResearch and Innovation Agency\u2019s (BRIN) Population Research Centre has\nwelcomed the National Nutrition Agency\u2019s (BGN) willingness to evaluate\nand reorganise the management of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG)\nprogramme. In an interview at the ANTARA Heritage Center, Jakarta, on\nWednesday, Yanu viewed the government and BGN\u2019s openness to public\naspirations as a positive signal for policy improvement. However, he\ncautioned that future improvements to this national-scale programme must\nbe based on objectively measurable indicators, not merely subjective\nlabelling. \u201cA programme this large cannot use subjective indicators like\nrich schools or poor schools. The indicators must be objective; what\nexactly defines a rich school? What defines a poor school? What defines\na 3T (frontier, outermost, disadvantaged) region?\u201d he stated. He\nbelieves the government already possesses various strategic data sets.\nThe next challenge is integrating and consolidating this data into a\nsingle transparent system so that programme distribution is truly\nwell-targeted. Furthermore, the BRIN researcher, who has been involved\nin social research for 17 years, also highlighted the initial programme\ndesign, which he considered too rushed in pursuing a universal scale\nsimultaneously, resulting in the current need to narrow its coverage.\n\u201cWhereas, in terms of public policy and programme design, it should\ntarget first, then gradually approach universal coverage. This is the\nright momentum to reorganise,\u201d he said. Through improvements to the\ndatabase and well-planned targeting, Yanu is optimistic that President\nPrabowo Subianto\u2019s noble goal of providing the benefits of nutritious\nmeals to all Indonesian children can ultimately be realised\ncomprehensively and sustainably.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/brin-researcher-recommends-gradual-data-based-evaluation-of-free-nutritious-meal-programme-1782309301",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}