Gibran Admits Free Nutritious Meal Programme Has Shortcomings, Demands End to Corruption

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to be prioritised in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions so that its benefits are felt by the communities most in need.

The statement was made by Gibran during a dialogue with parents and residents at Wolomoni Primary School in Niowula Village, Detusoko District, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, after reviewing the programme’s implementation readiness at the school.

“MBG will be more targeted if focused on 3T areas,” Gibran said on Friday, 19 June 2026.

According to him, areas such as Niowula Village, which are located quite far from urban centres, are the regions that need the programme the most. Therefore, the government will accelerate various supporting processes so that MBG can commence immediately. Gibran stated that MBG kitchens which are ready to be built must promptly obtain permits and pass feasibility tests in order to operate.

“Areas like this are the ones that need MBG the most. So, if the kitchen is ready, we must automatically speed up the permits. Because I am sure the children behind me really need MBG, and I believe it will ease the burden on the mothers here,” Gibran said.

During the dialogue, Gibran received information that the MBG kitchen in Niowula Village had been completed but was still awaiting inspection and a feasibility test from the central government.

In addition to highlighting the acceleration of the programme’s implementation, Gibran acknowledged that MBG still faces a number of challenges that require improvement, particularly in terms of governance and oversight.

“I am aware that MBG still has many shortcomings. In the future, there must be more improvements. The governance must be improved to be more efficient, there should be no more procurement of unsuitable goods, and most importantly, corrupt practices must be eliminated,” he stressed.

Gibran said the government would utilise the school holiday period to conduct a thorough evaluation of MBG’s implementation.

“The new Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the Deputy Head of BGN have already conveyed that we now have a school holiday break. I think this is the right time to conduct a comprehensive evaluation, especially regarding governance within BGN,” he stated.