Coordinating Minister Hasan has demanded that regional governments\nfully support the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) free meals programme,\nwarning that no local administration may opt out of the national\npriority initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep in mind that 17 ministries share responsibility for supporting\nMBG implementation. This leaves no room for local administrations to opt\nout of the program,\u201d he said in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Speaking after an MBG coordination meeting at the East Java\nGovernor\u2019s Office, Hasan stressed that the state has made it mandatory\nfor regional governments to contribute to the programme, which has\nserved more than 60 million people nationwide.<\/p>\n
He argued that support and synergy between ministries and regional\ngovernments are essential to ensure the programme runs optimally and\ncaters exclusively to targeted recipients: schoolchildren, toddlers,\nbreastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women.<\/p>\n
Hasan also urged regional governments to closely monitor food price\nand stock dynamics, given that volatility typically occurs during\nRamadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr.<\/p>\n
He cited President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s directive for government aides\nto make all-out efforts to prevent price hikes and maintain\naffordability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere need to be extra policies to keep prices stable during Ramadan\nand Eid al-Fitr,\u201d he affirmed.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak highlighted the\nprovince\u2019s success in the MBG programme, noting that free meals have\nreached about 8.39 million residents with support from 3,269\nkitchens.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuality is our top priority. We are striving for hygiene and\nsanitation certification for MBG kitchens to ensure beneficiary children\nreceive meals that are safe and nutritious,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He credited the central government for East Java\u2019s MBG achievement,\nlauding its role in facilitating dialogue and coordination between\nministries, district heads, and mayors.<\/p>\n
The MBG programme was among the key initiatives highlighted by\nPresident Prabowo during a forum organised by the United States Chamber\nof Commerce in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (Feb.\u00a018), where he\nunderscored its extensive contributions to human development and\neconomic growth.<\/p>\n
Addressing US business leaders, the president noted that each of the\nroughly 23,000 MBG kitchens already established is estimated to employ\nabout 50 workers and absorb significant volumes of food commodities from\nlocal farmers and livestock breeders.<\/p>\n
Launched on 6 January last year, the programme aims to serve at least\n82 million people nationwide by the end of 2026. The government has\nannounced plans to extend the programme to the elderly and people with\ndisabilities this year.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/minister-demands-full-regional-backing-for-free-meals-programme-1771644460", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }