BGN Says Review Underway on Excluding Wealthy Children from Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Jakarta – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has stated that it is still reviewing the proposal to exclude children from economically capable or wealthy families from receiving the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

“It is still being reviewed. The discourse is indeed heading in that direction, but we are still studying it,” said Deputy Head of BGN Trenggono to reporters at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday, 17 July 2026.

Trenggono did not provide details on the future criteria for MBG beneficiaries, including the specific decile groups or types of schools. However, he emphasised that the programme would be prioritised for those in need. He said the review is targeted for completion within one month, alongside an evaluation of other aspects of the programme’s implementation, in accordance with the deadline set by President Prabowo Subianto.

“The results will be delivered once the review is complete. We are still conducting the assessment for now,” Trenggono explained.

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed his staff to re-evaluate the targeting of the MBG programme to better prioritise groups in need, including lower-income communities and areas with high stunting prevalence.

Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari said the President requested that all input regarding the programme’s implementation be reviewed before the government makes any decisions. “He listened to all the input from the meeting participants; there were various suggestions,” Agustina said after meeting the President at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, 16 July 2026.

According to her, the President directed that the programme be more focused on communities that truly need it. “Those aspects that need to be made more efficient, those who no longer need to receive the MBG programme, please do not receive it anymore. But for those in the lower deciles, in underdeveloped regions, in areas with high stunting prevalence, please provide it,” she stated.

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