Central Java Deputy Governor Criticises Buffet-Style Free Meals, Says They Must Not Cut into Learning Time

SEMARANG — Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin said he had monitored trials of buffet-style distribution under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme at several schools in the province. He cautioned that, if the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) adopts the approach, it must not take time away from teaching and learning activities.

Yasin said the decision on whether buffet-style service would continue rested with the central government. “Since this is taking place in educational institutions, the buffet arrangement must not take longer or cut into teaching and learning time. That is the most important thing,” he said in an interview in Semarang on Wednesday (21 October 2026).

He said he had not yet received details of which schools in Central Java were taking part in the trials, as the schools had been selected directly by the central government or the BGN.

One school trialling buffet-style MBG service is SDN 5 Ngawen in Blora Regency. The trial began on 5 October 2026.

Blora Deputy Regent and chair of the task force accelerating the MBG programme, Sri Setyorini, said the pilot was part of an evaluation of the programme, including concerns about food poisoning. She said local authorities had received several types of public complaints about MBG in Blora, including oversized food portions and cases of illness.

As a result, the BGN tasked officials with trialling buffet-style MBG service at several schools, including SDN 5 Ngawen. “There have been many reports from the public about oversized portions and students becoming ill from food poisoning, so the BGN tasked me with conducting a trial at schools, including SDN 5 Ngawen. If this two-week buffet trial is successful, it could be extended to schools across Blora Regency and could even inform implementation throughout Indonesia,” Sri said.