Finance Minister Purbaya Responds with Smile to Women Demanding Free Nutritious Meal Programme Halt: I Will Tell the President

Finance Minister (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa was approached by two women who requested that the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) be halted. Purbaya responded to their concerns with a smile and said he would convey the matter to President Prabowo Subianto.

“Let’s make it effective. I’ll tell the President,” said Purbaya whilst smiling in the Malioboro area of Yogyakarta City on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, afternoon.

Purbaya was conducting an afternoon visit to Yogyakarta City, arriving at Teras Malioboro (TM) at 13.35 Western Indonesian Time.

The moment the women intercepted Purbaya occurred as he was about to cross from Teras Malioboro (TM) to Beringharjo Market. As he was crossing the street, he was called out and subsequently approached by two women wearing headscarves.

Initially they only wanted to shake his hand and greet Purbaya. However, after shaking hands, one of the women raised her concerns about the MBG programme to Purbaya.

“Sir, please stop MBG, please sir, stop it sir. MBG is unfair sir,” said one woman to Purbaya.

“There are many inequities sir, if possible just convert it to cash sir,” she added.

The other woman then echoed the complaint, mentioning that her child refused to eat the MBG meals.

“It’s true many complain, my child doesn’t want to eat MBG sir, please,” added the other woman.

Afterwards Purbaya continued his walk. He and his entourage moved to Beringharjo Market across from TM.

Purbaya’s presence drew attention from residents and tourists alike. At Beringharjo, Purbaya stopped to purchase batik cloth, spending considerable time at one shop selecting batik.

Subsequently, the entourage continued walking to the southern entrance of Beringharjo Market before leaving the market using the Jogja Heritage Track (JHT).