Government Confirms Free Nutritious Meal Programme Continues Despite New SPPG Moratorium

Head of the Government Communication Body (Bakom) RI, Muhammad Qodari, has stressed that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) is still running and has not been halted. The confirmation was made amidst a policy moratorium on the construction of new Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) currently in effect. Answering media questions after a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (10/6), Qodari explained that the new leadership of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is conducting a comprehensive evaluation and overhaul of the MBG programme’s implementation and governance. “The implementation of MBG has not stopped, but SPPG that are in the preparation stage have indeed been halted first,” Qodari said, responding to questions about the alleged cessation of MBG in several schools. He noted that circulating information regarding the operational suspension of several SPPG needs to be fully understood. The moratorium, he stressed, only targets the construction of new MBG kitchens, not the overall programme. “So perhaps there is a coincidence here, where there is a plan for a moratorium on the construction and preparation of new SPPG with the distribution of budgets, top-ups used for the operations of MBG in SPPG,” he explained. When asked about the duration of the moratorium on new SPPG construction, Qodari stated that the decision is entirely under the authority of the BGN. Further policy details will be determined by the Head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang. Qodari also emphasised that the evaluation and refinement process continues to ensure MBG achieves its primary goal of optimally meeting the nutritional needs of children across Indonesia. Previously, Head of BGN Nanik S. Deyang explained that the moratorium on new SPPG construction is part of efforts to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme. The measures also include adjustments to beneficiaries and improvements to existing MBG kitchens. In a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6), Nanik stated that the moratorium would be implemented as soon as possible to support the equitable distribution of programme benefits while increasing budget efficiency, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. “The essence is equity, meaning not every kitchen must have beneficiaries, but equity in the sense that all children must receive benefits, but also without too many kitchens. Having too many kitchens is inefficient because we rent the kitchens. We are applying the brakes first and reorganising, to figure out what the ideal number of SPPG is in one sub-district or one regency,” said Nanik.