House of Representatives' Commission IX Receives Information that MBG Kitchens Closed Are Not 1,738 but Over 4,000 SPPG
The government has disclosed that 1,738 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG), or Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchens, have had their operations temporarily suspended. However, Charles Honoris, Deputy Chair of House of Representatives’ Commission IX, stated that the number of closed MBG kitchens exceeds 1,738 units.
“According to information I received from internal sources at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the number of temporarily closed kitchens is not 1,738, but has already reached more than 4,000 kitchens. This is certainly a serious alarm that the governance of the MBG programme must be comprehensively overhauled immediately,” Charles told reporters on Thursday (14/5/2026).
He said the most common problems found in SPPG units that do not meet general standards relate to hygiene, food ingredient quality, human resource readiness, and non-compliance of facilities and infrastructure with the established operational standards. In some cases, kitchens were forced to operate despite not being fully ready.
“The acceleration target must not sacrifice food safety standards and service quality to the public,” Charles explained.
According to him, the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme deals with children’s health, so food safety standards must not be compromised. He does not want the government’s good intentions to instead create health risks due to weak field supervision.
“With such a large number of suspensions, BGN needs to conduct a total evaluation, not just temporary closures,” he added.
Charles provided three notes to BGN. First, evaluation of the partner kitchen recruitment and verification mechanism.
Second, a comprehensive audit of the field supervision and quality control system. “Third, evaluation of the target pattern that overly emphasises quantity over operational readiness,” Charles stated.
“In principle, a national strategic programme of this magnitude must be built with accountable, professional governance, prioritising public safety as the top priority,” he concluded.
Previously, Head of the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom RI) M Qodari, during a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (13/5), said there were 1,738 MBG kitchens whose operations were temporarily suspended. This policy was taken after thousands of MBG programme kitchens did not meet standards.
“Based on data as of 12 May 2026, there are 1,738 SPPG that have been temporarily suspended or suspended because they do not meet standards,” Qodari said.
“The government is committed to continuously improving and strengthening the implementation of the MBG programme,” Qodari added.