Mahfud Md Responds to Pigai on Free Nutritious Meal Programme Critics Violating Human Rights
Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mohammad Mahfud Mahmudin, known as Mahfud Md, has taken issue with a statement by Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai regarding opponents of government projects as human rights violators.
He stated that Pigai’s assertion—that those who obstruct government projects such as the free nutritious meal programme (MBG), Red and White Community Enterprises (Kopdes Merah Putih), and People’s Schools oppose human rights—is not entirely incorrect.
“However, it must also be remembered that any government that manages the state unprofessionally also violates human rights,” Mahfud said on the Terus Terang podcast broadcast on his YouTube channel Mahfud MD Official on Friday, 27 February 2026.
He elaborated that government mismanagement leading to corruption and wastage, coupled with imbalanced distribution of resources between diplomatic needs and public interests, also constitutes a human rights violation.
Mahfud reminded listeners that the context of human rights violations extends beyond civil and political aspects. It also encompasses economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions.
“Therefore, do not merely speak about feeding people. Improper state management is also a human rights violation,” said the former Constitutional Court Chief.
The previous Friday, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that those wishing to abolish the MBG programme, Kopdes Merah Putih, and People’s Schools are essentially opposing human rights. He reasoned that these projects serve the people and align with human rights principles.
Pigai clarified that he does not prohibit the public from criticising government projects or policies, including the MBG. However, he requested that such criticism be constructive rather than aimed at eliminating the policy altogether.
“The state is obligated to guarantee basic needs for clothing, food and housing. It is obligatory. This is the state’s responsibility, it has nothing to do with politics, and it is the United Nations’ wish through UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) for ordinary people. Why do you refuse and oppose?” Pigai stated.