Dukcapil Clarifies Rules After Baby Named 'MBG Subianto' Goes Viral

The Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs has spoken out regarding the rejection of the name Muhammad MBG Subianto for a baby in Wonosobo, Central Java. Director General Teguh Setyabudi stated that abbreviations cannot be included as names in population documents.

He made this statement in response to questions about the case. ‘Actually, according to the Home Affairs Ministerial Regulation, names cannot contain abbreviations,’ Teguh said at the General Elections Commission (KPU) office in Jakarta on Monday (20/7).

Teguh emphasised the need to clarify what ‘MBG’ stands for, specifically whether it is an acronym for ‘Makan Bergizi Gratis’ (Free Nutritious Meals). He noted that if MBG is not an abbreviation, it would be permissible and not violate any rules. ‘But if it is an abbreviation, then according to the regulation, it is not allowed,’ he stated.

The case went viral after a baby in Wonosobo, Central Java, was given the name Muhammad MBG Subianto. The naming was found to be inconsistent with Home Affairs Ministerial Regulation No. 73 of 2022 concerning the Recording of Names on Population Documents. The local civil registry office in Wonosobo has since provided a solution to the parents, Ambon Yasin and Yuharni, for their third child.