Amran Speaks Out: MBG Has No Connection to the 2029 Election!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Agriculture Minister and Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Amran Sulaiman has affirmed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto has no political connection, including to the 2029 Presidential Election (Pilpres). He stated that the programme is purely intended to promote public welfare while strengthening the agricultural and livestock sectors. “Yes, that’s correct. Don’t view MBG in isolation. This is the key point: MBG stands as an off-taker for 165 million Indonesian farmers,” Amran said when met after a meeting with student councils from across Indonesia at his residence in Jakarta on Wednesday (6/5/2026). According to him, MBG’s presence creates a market that directly absorbs the output of farmers and livestock breeders. As a result, economic circulation occurs all the way to the villages. “Furthermore, our children will be intelligent in the future, full of nutrition, and then the economy will circulate in the villages. The market comes alive, and the people directly benefit,” he continued. Amran stressed that this programme is not designed for electoral purposes. He even pointed out that the majority of MBG beneficiaries do not yet have voting rights. “If we’re talking politics, the President has no political angle. We’re giving it to primary school children, to those in the womb. The 2029 election has nothing to do with it. Right? They can’t vote in 2029, can they? It means it’s truly for the Indonesian people, to prepare a younger generation that is tougher and smarter,” he asserted. In line with this, data shows that the agricultural and livestock sectors have indeed experienced strong growth, in tandem with rising domestic demand driven by the implementation of the MBG programme. The agricultural sector recorded growth of 4.97%, with food crops surging 7.58% due to the rice harvest season. Meanwhile, the livestock subsector grew even higher at 11.84%, driven by increased demand for broiler chicken meat and eggs, including to meet needs during Eid al-Fitr and the MBG programme. Not only that, the food and beverage provision sector has also been boosted, with growth reaching 13.14%, in line with the expansion of MBG coverage that increases the need for processed food consumption. Amran emphasised the strong linkage between MBG and the food sector because this programme serves as a pillar of sustainable demand. “MBG stands as an off-taker for 165 million Indonesian farmers,” he concluded.