Bobby Nasution: Prabowo's Call to Investigate MBG 'Infiltrators' Entirely Reasonable

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has affirmed the regional government’s readiness to oversee the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) as part of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. He stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks about suspected infiltrators misusing the programme were made with good intentions. “The President wants this programme to run well, because its goal is to fulfil the nutritional needs of schoolchildren. If their nutrition is met, children will learn better at school and their reasoning will certainly improve,” he said on Wednesday (15/7).

Nasution argued that supervision is necessary to ensure the primary objective of MBG—improving the nutritional quality of schoolchildren—is achieved without disruption from irregularities in the field. “So that the goal is not thwarted by disturbances like deviations in the SPPG’s implementation,” he explained. He considered it entirely reasonable that regional governments are asked to participate in supervising the SPPG. If deviations occur, the benefits intended for the younger generation might not be optimal. “It is very reasonable for us, the regional government, to be asked by the president to supervise. If an SPPG is misbehaving, we are allowed to reprimand and correct them, even if a school requests a specific menu, it is usually provided. So, I think this is a very good thing,” he elaborated.

Regarding SPPGs suspected of irregularities, Bobby said the government continues to monitor data and reports from various regions. He noted that before the last school holiday, several SPPGs were identified as having implementation problems. These issues were not only related to the food served but also to waste management. “The data on SPPGs committing irregularities is updated continuously. As far as I know, before the last school holiday, there were some SPPGs that were slightly problematic, not just with the food but also with waste management and other things,” he stated. The North Sumatra Provincial Government has conveyed these findings to the relevant district and city heads, while also coordinating directly with SPPG managers to make improvements. “We have monitored this and conveyed it to the regents and mayors, as well as directly to the SPPG heads,” he said.

President Prabowo Subianto previously requested all regional heads and officials to oversee SPPG operations, citing concerns that many individuals were trying to abuse the MBG programme. “We will continue the MBG! But we understand and are aware that many are infiltrating the MBG to become thieves there,” Prabowo said during the inauguration of the Meninting Dam and four other dams in West Lombok, NTB, on Friday (10/7). Prabowo asked governors and regional heads to inspect all MBG kitchens. If any misuse is found, he urged them to report it immediately.