Hoax! Puan Maharani proposes people donate assets for Free Nutritious Meal Programme

Jakarta – A post circulating on Facebook social media claimed that the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, proposed that the public donate their assets to help finance the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis – MBG) programme.

The post stated that this proposal emerged because state finances were described as depleted. It also contained provocative language suggesting that the government lacked sufficient budget and therefore citizens were being asked to donate assets to implement the MBG programme.

The narrative in the post read: “The DPR RI Speaker proposes people donate their assets to support the MBG Programme.”

However, did Puan Maharani actually propose that the public donate their assets for the MBG programme?

Based on fact-checking research, no official statement or credible media reporting was found indicating that Puan Maharani proposed that citizens donate assets to finance the MBG programme.

Fact-checkers conducted searches using keywords “Puan Maharani MBG” and found several news reports, including articles titled “DPR Speaker requests MBG evaluation without mutual blame” and “DPR Speaker supports immediate issuance of Presidential Regulation for MBG improvements.”

In these reports, DPR RI Speaker Puan Maharani requested that the government conduct an evaluation of the MBG programme without parties blaming one another. This statement was made in response to the formation of an investigative team regarding poisoning cases that occurred during the MBG programme’s implementation.

She also stated that the DPR would directly oversee the kitchens of food providers in the problematic MBG programme to determine the causes of poisoning and obtain a clear picture of the issues.

Additionally, Puan Maharani expressed support for the government to promptly issue a Presidential Regulation concerning the MBG programme to improve the programme’s distribution mechanisms in the field.

She assessed that the MBG programme has a good objective to improve nutrition for Indonesian children. However, she emphasised that various cases occurring indicated the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the process and implementation mechanisms of the programme.

These statements did not discuss any proposal for the public to donate assets to finance the MBG programme.

Therefore, the claim that Puan Maharani proposed that citizens donate assets to help the MBG programme is false information or a hoax.