Golkar Faction Head Urges BGN to Conduct Thorough Evaluation of MBG Programme: Don't Be Careless
The Head of the Golkar Party Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), M. Sarmuji, has expressed full support for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme, a flagship initiative of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. However, he stressed that the programme’s implementation still harbours a number of serious issues that must be immediately resolved by the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
“The MBG Programme is a good and noble programme. The intention is correct, the objective is clear, and the benefits for the younger generation are immense if executed properly. Precisely for that reason, we cannot allow its implementation to be carried out carelessly,” Sarmuji said on Friday, 5 June 2026.
Sarmuji highlighted the practice of buying and selling Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) points, which he said tarnishes the spirit of the programme. He urged the BGN to provide firm guarantees that the appointment and management of SPPG points are conducted transparently, accountably, and free from transactional practices.
“BGN must be able to guarantee to the public that there is no buying and selling of SPPG points. If this practice is tolerated, the ones harmed are not only the state’s finances but also the children who should benefit directly from this programme,” he asserted.
Sarmuji, who is also the Secretary-General of the Golkar Party, also pointed to numerous reports and social media content displaying inadequate MBG meals, such as insufficient portions, questionable nutritional quality, and serving conditions that do not meet standards. He judged the corrective response from related parties to be far too slow.
“Students’ right to proper nutritious food must not be diminished in the slightest. We have already seen a great deal of content circulating on social media, showing food that is far from decent. This is not a small issue. This concerns public trust in the President’s programme,” Sarmuji stated.
Furthermore, Sarmuji encouraged the BGN not to hesitate in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the MBG distribution mechanism if the existing problems do not improve.
“A comprehensive evaluation is needed so we can ensure that every rupiah budgeted truly reaches our children’s plates, and is not absorbed along the way. The evaluation must be carried out—on the distribution method, on the supervision system, on the entire implementation chain. The single goal is to ensure that this programme is truly on target, effective, efficient, and provides the greatest possible benefit for students, in line with President Prabowo’s expectations,” Sarmuji expressed.