BGN: President Orders Cleanup of Substandard MBG Kitchens
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly instructed the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), or the kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, that are substandard to be straightened out.
Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik S. Deyang, stated that this message was conveyed by Prabowo following a working meeting with ministries and agencies at the Palace on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
“The President has ordered that kitchens that are substandard or do not follow the juknis (technical guidelines) be rectified,” said Nanik in his official statement on Thursday (9/4/2026).
In response to this directive, Nanik reported to Prabowo that the BGN continues to suspend MBG kitchens that do not comply with the juknis or are of poor quality.
Upon hearing this report, Prabowo urged the BGN to remain firm while giving a thumbs up.
“Good, keep it up,” said Prabowo during the meeting.
Furthermore, Prabowo also requested that MBG be distributed to beneficiaries who need nutritional improvement.
According to Nanik, the head of state views that MBG should not target children from families that are considered well-off.
“So if children from affluent families do not need MBG because their parents can already provide good nutritious food at home,” said Nanik.
In addition, said Nanik, Prabowo also requested that MBG not be forced upon recipients, especially for communities that are considered well-off and state that they do not want to receive the programme.
“The President conveyed that this programme must not be forced. MBG must be focused on children who truly need nutritional improvement,” said Nanik.
The former journalist stated that need-based distribution of MBG is key to the effectiveness of the government’s programme in improving the nutritional quality of the population.
“We want to ensure that MBG is on target and has a real impact. Therefore, supervision and evaluation will continue to be strengthened so that this programme runs optimally,” said Nanik.