Hashim Djojohadikusumo Admits MBG Has Weaknesses: A Normal Thing

Jakarta - Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the President’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate, has admitted that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme also has weaknesses, such as cases of poisoning and discoveries of maggots. However, Hashim considers these issues to be normal. “We see that there are indeed weaknesses, for example, poisoning, the appearance of maggots, and so on. But I think this is quite normal,” Hashim stated at the ABPEDNAS event at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, on Sunday night (19/4/2026). He stressed that MBG is one of the strategic programmes to improve the intelligence of the majority of the nation’s children. “Including young children who experience stunting and many other obstacles,” he said. Hashim also assessed that the MBG programme has been attacked by certain groups, but he claimed that this programme is the desire of the people. “And here we see that frankly, the MBG programme has been attacked by certain groups with slander, hoaxes, and lies. However, we must truly respond to the aspirations of the people that are truly sincere aspirations,” he added.