Before Prabowo, Nagekeo Regent Claims Free Nutritious Meals Programme Improves Child Health and Reduces Domestic Violence

Nagekeo Regent Simplisius Donatus has asked President Prabowo Subianto to continue the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in his region. He claims the programme has made children healthier and more diligent in attending school, and has even reduced domestic violence (KDRT).

Simplisius made the remarks when meeting Prabowo during a visit and review meeting at locations affected by the Flores earthquake in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

“We strongly support this MBG programme. I have conducted an informal survey of teachers at locations receiving MBG allocations. I asked them to survey student attendance and it is nearly 100 per cent. As for fitness levels, Mr President, students who used to catch colds every two weeks are now absent from such illnesses; their fitness is extraordinary,” he said.

Simplisius said his survey also found that domestic violence rates had declined because MBG has had an impact on family finances. “Now domestic violence has decreased. Previously wives demanded money, but now they have their own money and income from MBG.”

“So we hope that MBG for our region — people may say whatever they like — but we ask that it be increased. We have an allocation of 49 nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG), but only 11 are operating. We ask how the scheme can be arranged to make MBG easier to implement,” he added.

Simplisius said MBG, through the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), had also made a major contribution to handling the Flores earthquake. Eleven MBG kitchens were said to have assisted the public kitchen run by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

“We received significant assistance in that the BNPB public kitchen we have was supported by 11 MBG kitchens to provide ready-to-eat food. All staff from the MBG kitchens helped out,” he explained.

Simplisius had earlier reported communication difficulties in the first two days after the earthquake because networks were cut off. “The disaster has claimed three lives, left 13 residents seriously injured and 118 people with minor injuries,” he said.

He also reported damage to nearly 10,000 houses. Two hospitals were unable to treat patients inside their buildings and five community health centres could not operate. “Likewise with schools, 85 per cent of which cannot function,” he said.

Distribution of aid arriving at the Nagekeo Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) was carried out directly with the help of volunteers, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), using motorbikes and on foot. The aid included food.

In addition to MBG, Simplisius asked for cuts to central government transfers to be restored. Nagekeo, he said, had experienced cuts of up to IDR 148 billion in 2026. “We ask for the President’s attention to restore these central transfers so that we can carry out urgent work for Nagekeo Regency in remote areas,” he added.

Prabowo responded to Simplisius’s request by expressing full support for MBG. He appreciated that the programme was delivering positive results on the ground and said there was no need to worry about criticism of the programme.