Luhut Admits Free Nutritious Meal Programme Was Rushed, Offers Explanation

Jakarta - Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has admitted that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme still requires a number of improvements. One evaluation that emerged is that the programme was implemented too quickly, causing various problems on the ground.

“Regarding MBG, we conducted an evaluation. Yesterday, the Deputy Head of MBG and his team came to the Economic Council. And we presented the survey results and our proposals,” Luhut said at the DEN office on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

Luhut stated that one of the recommendations given by DEN relates to increasing the efficiency of programme implementation and the ability to identify various issues that arise during implementation. He assessed that the programme could actually be carried out in stages so that the government has more time to understand the challenges that emerge in the field.

“Why does it have to be all at once, it could be done in stages. So that we understand better,” he said.

Nevertheless, Luhut is optimistic that this flagship programme of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration will improve over the next six months to a year. He noted that MBG has a significant economic impact because it promotes income equality and stimulates regional economies.

“Because that is essentially income redistribution. So, Rp1 trillion flowing down to the grassroots every day has a big impact,” he said.

Luhut also hinted that several issues that arose in the early stages of the programme were a consequence of the process moving too fast. “It’s just that previously we were perhaps a little too hasty. So, many problems appeared here,” he said. However, he stressed that the issues that emerged have been handled by the government and should not cause excessive polemics. “Everything has been resolved properly,” Luhut said.