Fadli Zon: MBG Is a Service Programme, the Corruption Is What's Wrong
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has spoken openly regarding the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, stating that the initiative was originally intended as a public service.
The Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party noted that President Prabowo Subianto had actually been considering the MBG programme since 2004. He described the programme as fundamentally beneficial.
“Regarding the MBG, I believe the principle is that it is a very good programme. In fact, Mr Prabowo used to say back in 2/004, I remember him clearly as the Chairman of HKTI, regarding milk, ‘the White Revolution’ as implemented in India is very important, and this includes the Free Nutritious Meal programme,” Fadli Zon said during a conversation with journalists at the Ministry of Culture office in Jakarta on Wednesday (17/06/2026).
Fadli stated that the MBG programme was initially intended as a service to the public, though he noted that it was difficult to mobilise the programme in its early stages.
“Actually, this is a service programme, a public service programme for free nutritious meals. In the beginning, no one wanted to participate; it was very difficult to get it moving,” he said.
He mentioned that people began to show interest once the financing scheme was explained. However, he observed that many participants began to join solely to seek profit.
“But once the scheme began to operate, people raced to participate. That is where people’s mindset shifted from serving to how to seek profit and make money. In reality, the intention of this programme is a service programme; there is certainly profit, but that profit is limited and must not exceed certain bounds,” he explained.
He then touched upon the corruption cases involving the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), suggesting that such opportunities create the potential for theft.
“But what is wrong is the corruption. What is wrong is if it is corrupted. Perhaps with the various incidents occurring, I believe there needs to be introspection, and I believe the new MBG leadership has already conducted introspection regarding what happened. As the saying goes, ‘opportunity makes a thief’; the opportunity allows people to become thieves because it is a new initiative,” he clarified.
He also refuted claims that the MBG programme is being used for electoral purposes, asserting that both political and non-political entities are involved.
“Regarding the Free Nutritious Meal, if anyone says this is an electoral issue—where is the electoral aspect? Some say it is an electoral issue, citing ICW or similar groups. In reality, anyone can participate; for example, there may be those from political parties and those from non-political backgrounds,” he concluded.