JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the Makan\nBergizi Gratis (MBG) programme will continue despite facing budgetary\npressures and criticisms regarding its on-the-ground implementation.<\/p>\n
The programme is regarded as a long-term investment to improve the\nquality of Indonesia\u2019s human resources, particularly in reducing\nstunting rates and strengthening the foundation for future\ngenerations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will hold on as much as possible. Rather than funds being\ncorrupted, it\u2019s better if my people can eat,\u201d Prabowo stated firmly\nduring a discussion with journalists and experts, as quoted from a\nrelease by the Indonesian Communication Agency (Bakom) on Sunday\n(22\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you see the stunted children? I see them. I\u2019ve campaigned so\nmany times, in the villages, I see them. How old are you? 11 years old.\nBut the body is like a 4-year-old. I am convinced I am on the right\npath. We have the money,\u201d Prabowo said.<\/p>\n
Prabowo views the MBG programme as having broad economic impacts\nthrough job creation in various sectors, from production kitchens to the\nfood supply chain.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt its peak, MBG will have 31,000 kitchens. Let\u2019s say, for\nsimplicity, 30,000 kitchens. Each kitchen employs 50 people. That\u2019s\nalready 1.5 million jobs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He detailed that each Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) or MBG\nkitchen can create 5\u201310 supplier vendors for food ingredients per\nkitchen.<\/p>\n
Regarding various criticisms and field findings, the President\nacknowledged remaining shortcomings in the programme\u2019s implementation,\nbut the government has taken firm steps to enforce regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are over a thousand (kitchens) that we\u2019ve already closed,\u201d he\nrevealed.<\/p>\n
The President stressed that the programme\u2019s funding does not come\nfrom new debt, but from efficiencies and reductions in state budget\nleakages.<\/p>\n
The President added that this policy is part of efforts to ensure\nthat economic benefits are truly felt by the wider community, especially\nlower-income groups who have not fully enjoyed development outcomes thus\nfar.<\/p>\n
\u201cA large part of our people have gone too long without enjoying the\nbenefits of our economy,\u201d Prabowo concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowo-insists-mbg-programme-will-continue-rather-than-funds-being-corrupted-1774180277", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }