IMM NTB urges improved governance of Free Nutritious Meals Programme
The Regional Leadership Council of the Muhammadiyah Students Association of West Nusa Tenggara (DPD IMM NTB) is urging the government to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme without halting its implementation, as it has already provided benefits to students and the community.
The Chairperson of DPD IMM NTB, Mahmud, stated that the MBG is a strategic government programme that must continue to be implemented alongside evaluations to increase accountability and effectiveness.
“This programme is highly strategic because it reflects the state’s commitment to improving the quality of the nation’s future generations. Therefore, this programme needs to be supported and monitored together,” he said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
According to Mahmud, the MBG is not only oriented towards meeting the nutritional needs of students but also supports efforts to reduce stunting rates, increase learning concentration, and prepare higher-quality human resources.
He noted that various improvements made by the government in the implementation of the MBG have received positive responses from beneficiaries.
In addition to impacting the improvement of children’s nutritional quality, the programme also stimulates the community’s economy by increasing the absorption of agricultural yields and local food products.
“Various commodities such as rice, maize, soybeans, vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, and other food products now have a clearer market through the MBG Programme,” he said.
According to him, this impact is also felt by farmers in several regions of West Nusa Tenggara, such as East Lombok, Sumbawa, Bima, and Dompu, through increased certainty in demand for their harvests.
Mahmud emphasised that legal processes against individuals suspected of involvement in violations should not halt a programme that provides widespread benefits to the public.
He also urged central and regional governments to strengthen supervision and involve the community in the evaluation process to ensure the programme runs effectively and reaches the intended targets.
“The Free Nutritious Meal Programme is the state’s effort to build a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. What is needed right now is not the cessation of the programme, but the strengthening of governance so that its benefits are increasingly optimal for the community,” said Mahmud.
As of early May 2026, ANTARA tracking data shows that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme in West Nusa Tenggara has reached approximately 1.8 million beneficiaries, including around 1.4 million students across various educational levels.