APPMBGI supports evaluation and overhaul of Free Nutritious Meal programme

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Association of Free Nutritious Meal Kitchen Entrepreneurs and Managers (APPMBGI) has expressed its support for the government’s evaluation and temporary moratorium on the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, aimed at improving its governance.

‘We agree with the evaluation and moratorium, with the hope that during this transition period, the National Nutrition Agency will carry out positive, more accountable, and transparent reforms with governance that is fully answerable to the public,’ said APPMBGI Chairman Abdul Rivai Ras in a written statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

Rivai stated that MBG is a strategic national programme that plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of Indonesia’s human resources, and therefore its sustainability must be maintained.

APPMBGI believes the government’s overhaul should address various fundamental aspects, ranging from kitchen supervision systems and fund disbursement mechanisms to partners, through to the strengthening of food quality and safety standards.

Furthermore, the association is pushing for certainty for partners and investors who have participated in the development of Nutritional Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchens across various regions.

‘We also strongly hope that the National Nutrition Agency will intensify dialogue and communication with all partners and stakeholders involved in every dimension of MBG implementation. Only through good and open communication can the decisions taken be truly precise, fair, and beneficial to all parties,’ he said.

Rivai affirmed that the association is ready to be a constructive partner to the government and the National Nutrition Agency in supporting the improvement of MBG governance, so that the programme can run transparently, accountably, and sustainably to meet the nutritional needs of Indonesian children.