DPR Member Proposes MBG Budget Can Be Used to Aid Sumatra Post-Disaster

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PDI-Perjuangan faction, Deddy Sitorus, has proposed that the budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme could be used to assist with post-disaster reconstruction following the floods in Sumatra.

“Personally, I even hope that if we are working from home, the school children, Pak, the MBG budget could be allocated for just one week to the development of disaster-affected areas; that would be very helpful,” Deddy stated during a meeting with Interior Minister Tito Karnavian at the Commission II DPR meeting, Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Monday (30/3/2026).

“At the same time, it would help the state, which now has an extraordinary potential shortage of fuel, but perhaps those in charge of MBG are unwilling to release it,” he added.

According to him, all parties must empathise with the suffering of the people in the post-disaster areas of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

“But if we do not empathise together with the suffering of our brothers and sisters in those three provinces, then who will?” he said.

“I hope this is brought to the cabinet meeting, Pak, and conveyed openly to the President; we hope for it from you, sir,” he concluded.