FAMM Criticises Awarding of State Honour to National Nutrition Agency Chief
The Indonesian Women's Alliance, through the Young Women Activists Forum of Indonesia (FAMM Indonesia), has criticised the awarding of a primary service star of honour by the president to the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana. FAMM Indonesia questioned the government's rationale for bestowing the title upon the BGN chief.
According to FAMM Indonesia, amid the numerous problems associated with the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, the president has instead chosen to confer a state honour. FAMM Indonesia Coordinator Ija Syahruni expressed disappointment over the award.
"Instead of being evaluated, he is given an award," said Ija during the launch of the Indonesian Women's Alliance Political Theme ahead of the 2026 International Women's Day commemoration, held online on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Beyond the many issues plaguing MBG — including food poisoning incidents and menus that fail to account for nutritional composition — Ija noted that the programme has also displaced many women traders, particularly those who had been selling food in school environments. The establishment of MBG kitchens has caused these women to lose their customers.
"How is it that mothers who sell at schools have to be pushed aside?" she said.
Furthermore, she argued that the expansion of MBG kitchens has also affected the stability of staple food prices in markets. Large-volume procurement was seen as driving up prices for a number of commodities. This situation, Ija said, directly impacts women, who predominantly manage household needs.
"Women who are most closely involved with the domestic sector will be severely affected," she said.
Ija also questioned the urgency of MBG when basic public needs have not been comprehensively met, such as decent-paying employment, access to education, and healthcare services. She argued that when families live decently, daily food needs should be met without programme interventions that risk causing economic side effects at the local level.
She observed that some of the food produced under the programme ultimately ends up as waste. "Much of this food simply ends up as rubbish and will only become a project for a handful of elites on the ground," she said.
FAMM Indonesia called on the government to evaluate the implementation of MBG and ensure that policies genuinely serve the basic needs of women and the wider public.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto conferred the primary service star of honour upon BGN Head Dadan Hindayana. The award was presented when the head of state attended the inauguration and groundbreaking of the Police Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at Palmerah Police Station, West Jakarta, on Friday, 13 February 2026.
"Conferring the service star of honour in recognition of outstanding contributions in a particular field or event that benefits the safety, welfare, and greatness of the nation and state," said Presidential Military Secretary Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, reading from Presidential Decrees Numbers 12 and 13.
According to FAMM Indonesia, amid the numerous problems associated with the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, the president has instead chosen to confer a state honour. FAMM Indonesia Coordinator Ija Syahruni expressed disappointment over the award.
"Instead of being evaluated, he is given an award," said Ija during the launch of the Indonesian Women's Alliance Political Theme ahead of the 2026 International Women's Day commemoration, held online on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Beyond the many issues plaguing MBG — including food poisoning incidents and menus that fail to account for nutritional composition — Ija noted that the programme has also displaced many women traders, particularly those who had been selling food in school environments. The establishment of MBG kitchens has caused these women to lose their customers.
"How is it that mothers who sell at schools have to be pushed aside?" she said.
Furthermore, she argued that the expansion of MBG kitchens has also affected the stability of staple food prices in markets. Large-volume procurement was seen as driving up prices for a number of commodities. This situation, Ija said, directly impacts women, who predominantly manage household needs.
"Women who are most closely involved with the domestic sector will be severely affected," she said.
Ija also questioned the urgency of MBG when basic public needs have not been comprehensively met, such as decent-paying employment, access to education, and healthcare services. She argued that when families live decently, daily food needs should be met without programme interventions that risk causing economic side effects at the local level.
She observed that some of the food produced under the programme ultimately ends up as waste. "Much of this food simply ends up as rubbish and will only become a project for a handful of elites on the ground," she said.
FAMM Indonesia called on the government to evaluate the implementation of MBG and ensure that policies genuinely serve the basic needs of women and the wider public.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto conferred the primary service star of honour upon BGN Head Dadan Hindayana. The award was presented when the head of state attended the inauguration and groundbreaking of the Police Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) at Palmerah Police Station, West Jakarta, on Friday, 13 February 2026.
"Conferring the service star of honour in recognition of outstanding contributions in a particular field or event that benefits the safety, welfare, and greatness of the nation and state," said Presidential Military Secretary Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, reading from Presidential Decrees Numbers 12 and 13.