{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1813045,
        "msgid": "imm-ntb-urges-improved-governance-of-free-nutritious-meals-programme-1781887962",
        "date": "2026-06-19 22:47:03",
        "title": "IMM NTB urges improved governance of Free Nutritious Meals Programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Muhammadiyah Student Association of West Nusa Tenggara has called on the government to enhance the management of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme without halting it, citing its benefits for students and local economies. The organisation argues the strategic programme supports efforts to reduce stunting and boosts demand for local agricultural produce. It also stressed that legal proceedings against individuals should not disrupt a programme that has reached approximately 1.8 million beneficiaries in the province.",
        "content": "<p>The Regional Leadership Council of the Muhammadiyah Student\nAssociation of West Nusa Tenggara (DPD IMM NTB) is urging the government\nto improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG)\nwithout suspending its implementation, as it has delivered benefits to\nstudents and the wider community. DPD IMM NTB General Chairman Mahmud\nstated that MBG is a strategic government programme that must continue\nwhile undergoing evaluation to enhance accountability and effectiveness.\n\u201cThis programme is highly strategic because it reflects the state\u2019s\ncommitment to improving the quality of the nation\u2019s future generations.\nTherefore, it needs to be supported and jointly overseen,\u201d he said in a\nwritten statement received in Jakarta on Friday. According to Mahmud,\nMBG is not only oriented towards meeting the nutritional needs of\nstudents but also supports efforts to reduce stunting rates, improve\nlearning concentration, and prepare higher-quality human resources. He\nnoted that various improvements made by the government in implementing\nMBG have received a positive response from beneficiaries. Beyond\nimpacting children\u2019s nutritional quality, the programme has also\nstimulated the local economy through increased absorption of\nagricultural produce and local food products. \u201cVarious commodities such\nas rice, maize, soybeans, vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, and other food\nproducts now have a clearer market through the MBG Programme,\u201d he said.\nHe added that this impact is also being felt by farmers in several areas\nof NTB, such as East Lombok, Sumbawa, Bima, and Dompu, through increased\ncertainty of demand for their harvests. Mahmud emphasised that legal\nproceedings against individuals suspected of violations should not halt\na programme that provides broad benefits to the community. He also\nencouraged central and regional governments to strengthen oversight and\ninvolve the public in the evaluation process so the programme runs\neffectively and is well-targeted. \u201cThe Free Nutritious Meals Programme\nis the state\u2019s endeavour to build a healthy, intelligent, and productive\ngeneration. What is needed now is not the cessation of the programme,\nbut the strengthening of governance so that its benefits are\nincreasingly optimal for the community,\u201d Mahmud said. As of early May\n2026, ANTARA\u2019s data tracking indicates the Free Nutritious Meals\nProgramme in NTB has reached approximately 1.8 million beneficiaries,\nincluding around 1.4 million students from various educational\nlevels.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/imm-ntb-urges-improved-governance-of-free-nutritious-meals-programme-1781887962",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}