Irma Chaniago Agrees Political Parties Should Not Manage Free Nutritious Meals Programme: NasDem Does Not Have SPPG

A member of the DPR’s Commission IX and NasDem party chairman, Irma Suryani Chaniago, has agreed that political parties should not be involved in managing the free nutritious meals programme (MBG). Irma stated that NasDem as an institution does not possess any Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG).

“The real issue with the MBG programme is not about who owns the kitchen, but rather how professionally and responsibly they manage it. I personally certainly agree that political parties should not be involved in managing kitchens, because fundamentally government institutions also do not need to manage SPPG kitchens,” Irma told journalists on Friday (27 February 2026).

Irma stated that she had confirmed with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) regarding statements that political parties possess SPPGs. She said the BGN denied this.

“I have already confirmed with the BGN as stated in the media, that he did not say that all political parties have SPPGs. He said ‘I only provided an answer to accusations that SPPGs are monopolised by Gerindra,’” Irma said.

She stated that no political party possesses an SPPG. Irma emphasised that NasDem as an institution does not have an SPPG.

Irma believes the MBG issue is not related to who owns the SPPG kitchens. She assessed that errors are often found due to lack of professionalism and responsibility of individual actors.

“Fundamentally, no political party as an institution has an SPPG. If party cadres, as members of the public, participate as SPPG owners, that does not violate the law, does it? Even the military, police and corporations own many SPPG kitchens. NasDem as an institution does not have an SPPG!” she asserted.

The PDIP party previously issued a directive instructing all cadres not to exploit the free nutritious meals programme (MBG) for personal or group interests. The PDIP will take firm action against cadres who violate the rules.

This was contained in a Circular Letter (SE) dated 24 February 2026, received on Thursday (26 February). The letter was signed by PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and DPP Chairman Komarudin Watubun.

In the letter, the PDIP DPP emphasised that the MBG programme is funded from the State Budget (APBN), including through reallocation of the national education budget sourced from public taxes.

“That the education budget is fundamentally used to the greatest extent for national educational interests in order to advance the nation’s intellectual life, including for teacher salaries and allowances, improving teacher capacity and quality, and providing educational infrastructure and facilities.”