Deputy Chair of DPR Commission IX Supports Moratorium on New SPPG, Promotes School-Based Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens
The Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Charles Honoris, supports the moratorium on new registrations for Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) implemented by the new leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). He is pushing for the establishment of school-based kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.
“This momentum for improvement should be utilised to encourage the transformation of the MBG provision model, moving from a centralised SPPG kitchen approach towards school-based kitchens,” Charles told reporters on Monday (8/6/2026).
Charles stated that school-based kitchens would ensure that beneficiaries are accurately targeted. He noted that this model would encourage participation from both schools and the local community.
“This model allows for management that is closer to the beneficiaries, utilises existing school facilities, reduces logistics and distribution costs, strengthens food quality supervision, and opens up space for school and community participation in programme implementation,” he said.
Charles believes the school-based kitchen model aligns with the primary objectives of the MBG programme. The Chairman of the PDI Perjuangan Central Executive Board assessed that the effectiveness of MBG services would be more coordinated under this approach.
“The school-based kitchen approach is also more in line with the main goal of MBG as a nutritional intervention. Schools can play a more active role in ensuring food quality, nutritional education, and monitoring the condition of the students targeted by the programme,” Charles added.
“By utilising existing infrastructure, the government can suppress investment and operational costs while simultaneously increasing the effectiveness of programme implementation.”
Charles welcomed the National Nutrition Agency’s improvement steps, which are focused on the beneficiaries. He wants the MBG programme to provide tangible benefits to the public.
“We welcome the various improvement steps announced by the Head of the BGN, particularly the policy of a moratorium on the construction of new SPPG kitchens, refocusing beneficiaries, and the shift in focus from quantity to the quality of MBG,” said Charles.
“This new policy focus is what we have been waiting for to ensure the programme runs more effectively, efficiently, and provides a real impact on improving the nutritional status of the community.”
He assessed that the moratorium on the construction of new kitchens provides an opportunity for the BGN to conduct a thorough evaluation, including programme governance, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and human resource quality improvement.
“Furthermore, it ensures that all operating kitchens meet the established food safety and nutritional quality standards. Especially given the current state of national finances which are facing pressure, the decision to halt expansion and prioritise improvements is a wise and responsible choice,” he added.
Previously, the BGN temporarily halted the registration of new kitchens for the MBG programme. This moratorium is one of the steps taken by the new BGN leadership to achieve budget efficiency and organise programme implementation.
“The main thing we have discussed and prepared in our work plan is moving towards budget efficiency,” said the Head of the BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, during a press conference at the BGN building in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026).
Nanik explained that there are four main steps prepared by the BGN to improve the implementation of the MBG programme. First, refocusing beneficiaries to ensure the programme is more targeted. Second, the temporary suspension of registration and construction of new kitchens.
“In the interest of budget efficiency, what we are doing is, first, refocusing beneficiaries. Second, a moratorium on new kitchen points,” she stated.