Kepri Governor Ensures National Strategic Programmes Run Well

Governor of the Riau Islands (Kepri) Ansar Ahmad has confirmed that the implementation of various national programmes in his region is running well up to August 2026, ranging from Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), to Fishermen’s Villages. Ansar stated that the Kepri Provincial Government is fully committed to supporting the Astacita vision of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, which is elaborated through five regional development missions. “Our vision is to realise a Kepri that is advanced, prosperous, and equitable. All regional development programmes are also directed to support the acceleration of national strategic programme implementation,” Governor Ansar said in Tanjungpinang on Tuesday. Ansar outlined several achievements of the national priority programmes in Kepri. For the Free Nutritious Meals programme, as of July 2026, the number of beneficiaries has reached 87.47 percent, or 594,000 people, supported by 239 Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) spread across the province’s seven regencies and cities. The Kepri Provincial Government is currently coordinating with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to accelerate the operation of SPPG kitchens in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas. “We also emphasise that all SPPGs must possess a Hygiene Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS) to guarantee food cleanliness and prevent the risk of mass poisoning,” Ansar stated. Regarding the establishment of Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives in Kepri, 407 cooperatives have been formed. A total of 271 cooperatives already have land, while 136 are still in the process of land provision. The regional government is also encouraging cooperation between State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and cooperatives concerning logistics supplies to be sold to the public at the village and sub-district levels. “We continue to consult with the central government so that this programme can be implemented immediately as a leverage for the community’s economy,” he said. For the Sekolah Rakyat programme, Ansar explained that Kepri currently has 201 students spread across Natuna Regency with 96 students, Tanjungpinang City with 62 students, and Anambas Islands Regency with 43 students. The provincial government is accelerating the tender process for permanent Sekolah Rakyat construction projects in these three regencies and cities. Construction of Sekolah Rakyat in three other regencies in Kepri—Bintan, Karimun, and Lingga—is also being expedited. “Including one Sekolah Rakyat at the Kepri provincial level on Dompak Island, a review has been conducted and it will soon be tendered by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” Ansar revealed. Furthermore, for the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Village programme, 124 locations have been proposed in Kepri. Four of these have been designated, namely three locations in Batam City and one location in Cemaga Utara Village, Natuna Regency. Meanwhile, topographic surveys by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries have been completed for 82 other locations. Eighteen locations are additional survey proposals, and 20 other locations are still awaiting surveys. “Our target is for 100 fishermen’s village points to be built in Kepri within the next two years,” Ansar said. The Governor of Kepri also stressed to all regional apparatus organisations and relevant stakeholders to oversee the national strategic programmes so they run optimally and have an impact on improving the community’s economy, through physical infrastructure development, creating new jobs, and expanding access to logistics distribution for the public.