Chronology of Batam Primary and Secondary Students Joining Rally Supporting Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Hundreds of primary and secondary school students in Batam City took part in a march expressing support for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) project on Sunday, 21 June 2026. The student rally was held in front of the Batam City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building. They were seen carrying banners and posters supporting President Prabowo Subianto’s programme, with some wearing their school uniforms. Like a typical demonstration, the action in support of MBG also featured speeches from a command vehicle prepared by the organisers. Batam City DPRD member from the Gerindra Party faction, Anwar Annas, then met with the crowd. In front of the students and parents, Anwar urged the rally participants to support President Prabowo’s free nutritious meals initiative and expressed appreciation for their backing. Contacted separately on Monday, 22 June 2026, Anwar explained that his speech alongside other council members from the command vehicle was a form of welcome to the public conveying their aspirations in front of the Batam City DPRD office. He claimed that during his speech from the command vehicle, he did not see students among the participants, stating he only noticed adult MBG kitchen workers at the front. A teacher who requested anonymity said there was no official invitation for the rally; invitations were only circulated via short WhatsApp messages in school groups. The teacher expressed shock, especially as the event was held on a Sunday, and felt compelled to attend. Batam City Education Department Head Hendri Arulan confirmed deploying teachers and students for the rally supporting MBG. His reasoning was that many parents had recently protested because the MBG programme in Batam City had stalled due to a budget freeze. He also confirmed gathering schoolteachers to discuss the parental complaints, which led to the initiative to hold the rally supporting MBG. Hendri did not address complaints from teachers who objected to attending the rally and asserted that neither teachers nor students were obligated to come, stating the invitation was only for those willing to participate.