KSP Ensures Free Nutritious Meals Programme Continues Amid BGN Overhaul

Presidential Chief of Staff AM Putranto, commonly known as Dudung, has confirmed that the government is continuing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme amidst internal reforms at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Speaking at the Bina Graha building within the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday, Dudung stated that the change in BGN leadership and the ongoing legal process are clear evidence that the government is being responsive and transparent. ‘The replacement of the BGN leadership and the current legal process show that the government is not turning a blind eye to the problems that have occurred. The government has the courage to conduct evaluations, fix weaknesses, and improve the programme’s governance for the better going forward,’ he said. Dudung also assured that internal obstacles would not halt the programme, which serves the vital needs of many people. President Prabowo Subianto has given firm instructions that the nutritional fulfilment for vulnerable groups must not be disrupted. ‘We must not stop just because there are problems, but rather we must learn from these problems, improve the system, and ensure the programme’s benefits continue to reach the community,’ he stated. Based on direct field monitoring, the KSP found many service units that have adopted operational standards very well. ‘From these unannounced inspections, the KSP found Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that have been operating according to standards, from kitchen hygiene, food ingredient quality, food safety, distribution accuracy, to service for beneficiaries,’ he said. He noted that SPPGs already meeting standards can be used as models so that good practices in the field can be replicated in other regions, while still adapting to the conditions and needs of each area. Dudung added that the implementation of the programme at the grassroots level is now being improved with a much stricter, cleaner, more transparent, and measurable supervision system. ‘This supervision is important because the Free Nutritious Meals programme must not only be measured by the number or quantity of beneficiaries, but must prioritise quality, targeting accuracy, food safety, and tangible benefits for the community,’ he said. The government is prioritising ensuring that this nutritious food distribution reaches the most needy segments of society, including in the outermost regions. ‘We want this programme to be truly well-targeted, especially for school children, pregnant women, vulnerable groups, and communities in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions, or 3T,’ he added. Dudung emphasised the KSP’s position as the front line in overseeing the comprehensive governance transformation at BGN. He said the KSP is present as the programme controller, reform supervisor, cross-agency liaison, and guardian to ensure the President’s priority programme remains on the side of the people. He expressed hope that this evaluation momentum can increase public trust in national strategic programmes funded by the state. ‘We make every correction a momentum to improve ourselves, strengthen the system, and account for every penny of the people’s money used for the MBG programme, to increase public trust,’ he concluded.