Hillary Brigitta Believes New MBG Policy Can Involve All Segments of Society

VIVA – The MBG volunteer programme now offers broader opportunities to the public. Previously, volunteer recruitment was associated with certain age limits, but those rules are now being relaxed, allowing people from various age groups to join.

This new policy is said to be part of efforts to increase public involvement in various social activities and community services carried out by MBG volunteers. With the opening of opportunities without age limits, citizen participation is expected to increase further.

The rule change has immediately attracted public attention, especially from adults and the elderly who previously felt limited in participating in volunteer activities. Now, they have equal opportunities to contribute according to their respective abilities.

According to Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Hillary Brigitta Lasut, she gives appreciation to the quick action of the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, who cancelled the maximum age limit of 50 years for volunteers in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.

According to Hillary, this decision is a more inclusive and humane policy because it opens opportunities for anyone who is still healthy and productive to get involved in the national programme.

“In foreign countries, the professional world and social activities no longer see age as the main barrier. What is assessed is a person’s health condition, ability, and work spirit,” said Hillary.

The young legislator views the new BGN policy as reflecting a modern perspective that is starting to eliminate age discrimination in the world of work and social activities. She is optimistic that this step can have a significant impact on human resource development in Indonesia.

According to Hillary, the Free Nutritious Meals programme is not only focused on fulfilling public nutrition but also has real economic effects, especially for rural residents who depend on additional income from activities as volunteers.

She revealed that if the age limit were still applied strictly, many rural communities could lose a source of income that has so far helped meet family needs.

“Almost many volunteers would be economically affected if the age limit rule were applied rigidly. For rural communities, income as volunteers apparently helps increase their family’s purchasing power,” she said.