IMM NTB urges improved governance of Free Nutritious Meals Programme

The Regional Leadership Council of the Muhammadiyah Student Association of West Nusa Tenggara (DPD IMM NTB) is urging the government to improve the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) without suspending its implementation, as it has delivered benefits to students and the wider community. DPD IMM NTB General Chairman Mahmud stated that MBG is a strategic government programme that must continue while undergoing evaluation to enhance 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, it needs to be supported and jointly overseen,” he said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday. According to Mahmud, MBG is not only oriented towards meeting the nutritional needs of students but also supports efforts to reduce stunting rates, improve learning concentration, and prepare higher-quality human resources. He noted that various improvements made by the government in implementing MBG have received a positive response from beneficiaries. Beyond impacting children’s nutritional quality, the programme has also stimulated the local economy through increased absorption of agricultural produce 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. He added that this impact is also being felt by farmers in several areas of NTB, such as East Lombok, Sumbawa, Bima, and Dompu, through increased certainty of demand for their harvests. Mahmud emphasised that legal proceedings against individuals suspected of violations should not halt a programme that provides broad benefits to the community. He also encouraged central and regional governments to strengthen oversight and involve the public in the evaluation process so the programme runs effectively and is well-targeted. “The Free Nutritious Meals Programme is the state’s endeavour to build a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation. What is needed now is not the cessation of the programme, but the strengthening of governance so that its benefits are increasingly optimal for the community,” Mahmud said. As of early May 2026, ANTARA’s data tracking indicates the Free Nutritious Meals Programme in NTB has reached approximately 1.8 million beneficiaries, including around 1.4 million students from various educational levels.