President Prabowo Subianto has vowed to continue the Free Nutritious\nMeals (MBG) programme, while Deputy Chair of the House of\nRepresentatives (DPR) Commission IX, Putih Sari, has called for strict\nsupervision of the programme\u2019s operational kitchens, known as Satuan\nPelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG).<\/p>\n
Putih Sari emphasised the need for rigorous oversight of the SPPG\u2019s\nstandard operating procedures to ensure food quality and safety. \u201cThere\nneeds to be a real-time monitoring system, from the selection of raw\nmaterials involving MSMEs to the cooking process, to ensure public\ntransparency,\u201d Putih Sari told reporters on Saturday (15\/8\/2026). She\nalso stressed the importance of enforcing Hygiene Sanitation Eligibility\nCertificates (SLHS), supervising distribution to prevent food safety\nrisks, and strengthening the governance structure of the National\nNutrition Agency (BGN) to ensure the programme adheres to the principles\nof good and clean governance, free from corruption, collusion, and\nnepotism (KKN).<\/p>\n
While expressing full support for the programme\u2019s continuation, Putih\nSari highlighted its dual benefits. \u201cThe MBG programme must continue\nbecause it not only ensures the nutritional adequacy of tens of millions\nof Indonesian children and addresses malnutrition, but also acts as a\ndriver for local economies by absorbing products from local MSMEs,\nfarmers, and livestock breeders,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Fellow Commission IX member Irma Suryani Chaniago was more critical,\npointing to weak supervision since the programme\u2019s inception. \u201cFrom the\nstart, this programme only focused on establishing SPPGs but was weak in\ncontrol, resulting in waste because much of the food is not eaten, and\nthe state loses out because targets are not met,\u201d Irma stated. She urged\nthe government to overhaul the programme\u2019s management, evaluate its\nhuman resources and budget, and ensure that the expenditure aligns with\nthe benefits received and the President\u2019s targets. Irma also cautioned\nagainst abruptly shutting down kitchens, noting that many involve\ncommunity investment. \u201cIf they are closed, how much loss will the public\nbear, especially those who have invested and not yet broken even, let\nalone made a profit?\u201d she questioned.<\/p>\n
In his state address at the Annual Session of the MPR and Joint\nSession of the DPR-DPD 2026 on Friday (14\/8\/2026), President Prabowo\nstressed that he did not want Indonesian children to study on an empty\nstomach. He revealed that 25 per cent of Indonesian children suffer from\nstunting, a condition that prevents cells from developing properly and\nhas long-term negative impacts. \u201cThat is the reality we face, and we are\nimplementing this programme to overcome stunting, which is still\nexperienced by our children in some areas at a rate as high as 25 per\ncent\u2014one in four Indonesian children,\u201d Prabowo said. He concluded by\naffirming his determination to continue the MBG programme, but with\nimprovements and greater efficiency.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowo-vows-to-continue-free-nutritious-meals-programme-house-commission-ix-demands-strict-oversight-1786762372", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }