BGN Reviews Free Nutritious Meal Programme to Prioritise Needy Groups

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has stated that it is still studying a proposal that children from affluent economic groups should no longer be beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

“We are still studying it. There is indeed a proposal in that direction, but we are still reviewing it,” said BGN Deputy Head Trenggono when met after a working meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday.

Trenggono did not detail the criteria for future MBG beneficiaries, including which income deciles or school types would be covered. However, he stressed that the programme would be prioritised for those in need.

According to him, the study is targeted for completion within one month, alongside an evaluation of various other aspects of the programme’s implementation, in line with the deadline set by President Prabowo Subianto.

“The results will be conveyed once our study is complete. We are still conducting the assessment,” he said.

It is understood that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his staff to review the programme’s targets so that it is prioritised for those in genuine need, including people in the lower deciles and areas prone to stunting.

BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari said the President asked that all input regarding the MBG implementation be studied first before the government makes a decision.

“He listened to all the input from every meeting participant present; there were all sorts of proposals,” said Agustina after meeting the President at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (15/7).

According to her, the President directed that the programme be more focused on communities that genuinely need it.

“Those who should no longer receive the MBG programme, please stop receiving it. But those in the lower deciles, in disadvantaged areas, and in areas with high stunting prevalence should be given it,” she said.

Agustina added that this directive forms the basis for BGN to improve the implementation of the MBG programme, which reaches millions of beneficiaries.