Bali Governor Denies Allegations of Obstructing Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has denied accusations that he does not support the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme and is obstructing it through the development targets of the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). “The Bali Provincial Government has taken concrete steps in supporting various national strategic programmes, firstly, the provision of 7.1 hectares of land for the construction of SPPG facilities for the MBG Programme,” Koster said in an official statement in Denpasar on Saturday. Previously, on Tuesday (30/6), hundreds of people gathered at the Bali Governor’s Office to express support for the MBG programme. Governor Koster emphasised that the construction of SPPGs is even spread across all regencies/cities in Bali and had been submitted to the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) since 20 May 2025. “I deeply understand the state order and governance, that our government is one, encompassing the central government and regional governments, where regional governments and regional heads have an obligation to implement the policies and strategic programmes of the government led by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Prabowo Subianto,” he said. For this reason, he clarified the news circulating on social media so that the Balinese public could gain a correct understanding of the Bali Provincial Government’s commitment to supporting national priority programmes. In light of the statements from the demonstrators that generated various news reports, Governor Koster invited all components of Balinese society, including social media users, to prioritise accurate, objective, and responsible information. “Especially to the public, not to be easily influenced by misleading news. Let us together support and make successful the national strategic programmes implemented by the President of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said. In addition to supporting the MBG programme, the Bali Governor also affirmed support for other national programmes, such as the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives and People’s Schools, as the narrative emerging during the demonstration also touched upon these two programmes. For the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives programme, more than 2 hectares of land have been provided for the construction of cooperative facilities spread across cities/regencies throughout Bali. Furthermore, 5.67 hectares of land have been provided for the construction of a People’s School in Tulamben Village, Kubu District, Karangasem Regency. “Construction is almost complete and preparations for new student admissions have been made,” he said. From the outset, Governor Koster instructed the Regional Secretary of Bali Province along with the heads of relevant regional agencies to coordinate with the central government and regencies/cities across Bali for the implementation of these three programmes to run smoothly in Bali.