Central Kalimantan Governor Receives Public Support for Free Nutritious Meal Programme
Dozens of residents, organised under the Central Kalimantan Community Coalition for Child Nutrition, voiced their support for the sustainability of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme through a peaceful protest in front of the Central Kalimantan Governor’s Office on Tuesday (30/6).
The demonstration proceeded orderly and featured a dialogue between mass representatives and the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Agusters Sabran, who stated that he accepted all feedback presented by the protesters. He expressed that the Provincial Government would forward these aspirations to the central government in accordance with its authority.
“As servants of the people of Central Kalimantan, we will certainly convey this message or aspiration directly to President Prabowo Subianto. Central Kalimantan is one of the national food barns towards Indonesia Emas 2045; Central Kalimantan is the future of Indonesia. Central Kalimantan plays a vital role in realising Indonesia Emas 2045,” said Agustiar Sabran.
“I am sitting here with the people of Central Kalimantan so that President Prabowo’s vision and mission can be implemented together for Indonesia Emas 2045. Thank you to all the people of Central Kalimantan who care enough to provide criticism and suggestions,” he added.
The aspirations presented by the protesters included support for the programme’s implementation, as well as proposals for strengthening regulations to ensure the MBG implementation can run more optimally.
A representative of the group, Yani, stated that the action was a form of public support for President Prabowo Subianto’s vision and mission, particularly the MBG, which is considered to have a strategic impact on human resource development.
“This activity is held to ensure that the MBG programme can continue to run in Central Kalimantan, while simultaneously supporting the vision and mission of President Prabowo Subianto,” said Yani.
According to him, in addition to supporting the fulfillment of children’s nutrition, the MBG also serves as a long-term development instrument through the improvement of human resource quality from an early age. Furthermore, the programme is said to be capable of providing a multiplier effect on the regional economy by involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the food supply chain.
Yani, who is stationed at SPPG Menteng V, mentioned that there are at least three main benefits to the implementation of the MBG: meeting the nutritional needs of the nation’s next generation, improving the quality of human resources from an early age, and driving economic growth for the community at the grassroots level.
“We fully support the MBG programme initiated by Mr Prabowo. We hope the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government can align itself and provide full support for the sustainability of this programme,” he said.
During the protest, the group also requested an evaluation of the MBG’s implementation by establishing a stronger legal umbrella to guarantee certainty in field execution, and urged the government to take firm action against parties deemed to be hindering or damaging the image of the MBG in accordance with statutory provisions.