Dialogue with President: Yamisa Reports Free Nutritious Meals Programme Has Not Reached Her School
Jakarta – A high school student from Nias Regency, Sumatera Utara, Yamisa Zebua, raised a direct complaint to President Prabowo Subianto during a videoconference dialogue session held in Jakarta on Monday, stating that the government’s free nutritious meals (MBG) programme—a priority initiative of the administration—has yet to reach her school.
During the interactive session conducted via Zoom, Yamisa seized the opportunity to engage directly with the President to express gratitude for the construction of a bridge in her region, whilst simultaneously requesting school renovation, road improvements, and the distribution of MBG to reach her school.
“Permission, Sir, I have another complaint regarding the MBG, Sir. The MBG has still not arrived at our school,” Yamisa told President Prabowo.
“It hasn’t arrived?” the President asked Yamisa.
“Yes, Sir. Our parents are not able to afford it,” Yamisa Zebua replied.
The President then described considerable criticism, particularly from elites, directed at the MBG programme. “Some people say MBG is unnecessary, they say it’s not good?” said President Prabowo.
“That’s a lie, Sir, that’s a lie,” Yamisa responded.
“Alright, I will fight for the MBG to reach there. So you see that you need the MBG, but there are clever people in Jakarta saying it’s not necessary, saying MBG is a waste of money,” said President Prabowo.
“We will fight, study properly, yes,” the President advised Yamisa.
During the same interaction, Yamisa also directly expressed her gratitude to President Prabowo because the government, through the Bridge Task Force (Satgas Jembatan), has constructed a bridge in her region.
With the bridge in place, Yamisa explained, she and her schoolmates no longer needed to cross the river and arrive at school soaking wet.
“Thank you for the assistance from the President, now we don’t have to remove our shoes when we go to school,” Yamisa told President Prabowo.
President Prabowo then asked about Yamisa’s plans after graduating from SMA. Yamisa answered that she wanted to pursue medical studies, but her parents were unable to afford her education.
President Prabowo subsequently offered Yamisa the opportunity to sit for the medical entrance examination. Yamisa, who was still holding the microphone at that moment, went on to request the same opportunity for three of her classmates. “My friends as well, these three people,” Yamisa said.
“God willing, all of you, you must all study, get good marks, don’t date yet! You said you want to study, yes,” President Prabowo told Yamisa.