Andre Rosiade Inspects MBG Kitchen in Pekanbaru, Praises Reforms and SME Involvement
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Commission VI, Andre Rosiade, together with Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho, inspected the operations of the Payung Sekaki Nutrition Service Fulfilment Unit (SPPG) on Jalan Demokrasi, Labuh Baru Barat Village, Payung Sekaki District, Pekanbaru, Riau, today. The visit aimed to ensure the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme meets the standards set by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and to observe the impact of recent government evaluations and reforms.
During the inspection, Andre spoke with kitchen managers, nutritionists, and food production staff. He was informed that the Payung Sekaki MBG kitchen began operations on 27 April 2026 and currently serves around 1,384 beneficiaries. The number of recipients had previously exceeded 1,500 before some schools entered their holiday and report card distribution period. Andre confirmed that new BGN policies have been implemented, including the suspension of kitchen operations during school holidays and an adjustment to the incentive scheme, which is now calculated based on the number of beneficiaries.
"This shows that BGN has conducted evaluations, made improvements, and ensured there are no budget leakages. Previously, incentives were flat; now they are adjusted per beneficiary. If there are a thousand beneficiaries, the calculation is a thousand times Rp2,000. Programme governance is now more precise and transparent," Andre stated on Friday (19/6/2026). While touring the production area, he observed the food processing, packaging system, and the menu prepared for students. He praised the kitchen’s standards, noting they met BGN’s SOPs, from raw material storage and production areas to supervision by certified nutritionists and chefs.
Andre paid special attention to the involvement of local businesses in the MBG supply chain. He verified that the requirement to use at least 15 SME vendors had been fulfilled by the kitchen. "The most important thing is that economic circulation occurs within the community. SME vendors must be involved so that the programme’s benefits are not only felt by students receiving nutritious meals but also by small business owners in the region," said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party’s West Sumatra Regional Leadership Council. He urged the Pekanbaru Mayor to ensure all MBG kitchens in the city prioritise local SMEs as suppliers of foodstuffs and operational needs. "The Mayor must ensure all MBG kitchen vendors come from Pekanbaru SMEs. So that the state funds used in this programme truly circulate within the community," Andre added.
After the inspection, Andre asserted that the government under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership does not turn a blind eye to various criticisms and findings regarding MBG implementation. He said the refocusing and audit steps taken by BGN demonstrate the government’s seriousness in improving the governance of this flagship programme. "President Prabowo’s government listens to the people’s aspirations. That is why a major evaluation and overhaul is being carried out so there are no more budget leakages, the programme is on target, and governance is increasingly better," he said. He explained that during the school holidays, BGN will conduct a comprehensive audit of MBG kitchens in various regions to ensure all operations comply with established standards. Andre also revealed that the government is now prioritising the expansion of the programme to underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions and vulnerable groups to accelerate the reduction of stunting rates.
Based on the inspection results, Andre expressed optimism that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme will continue to improve. He noted that communities in various regions, including Pekanbaru and West Sumatra, fundamentally support the programme’s continuation because its benefits are directly felt by students and beneficiary families. Meanwhile, Pekanbaru Mayor Agung Nugroho thanked Andre Rosiade for directly inspecting the MBG kitchen operations in Pekanbaru. He said the visit represented attention and support for the continuation of the programme, which is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priorities. Agung affirmed that the Pekanbaru City Government fully supports the continuation and development of the MBG programme and is ready to synergise with the central government, the National Nutrition Agency, and all related parties to ensure its success in Pekanbaru.