MBG Programme Motorcycles Proposed as Donation to Teachers, JPPI: Problematic Goods Should Not Become Gifts

The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) believes teachers should receive state support for transport and welfare, but insists that fulfilling these rights must come from proper procurement. National Coordinator of JPPI Abdullah Ubaid Matraji made the statement regarding the sealing of thousands of EMMO electric motorcycles linked to an investigation into alleged corruption in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, following a proposal that the motorcycles simply be given to teachers to make them more useful. “Teachers indeed deserve better transport support and welfare. However, giving motorcycles to teachers must not become a ‘gift’ from goods that are legally problematic,” Ubaid told Republika on Thursday (17/6/2026). Ubaid stressed that providing assistance to teachers should be based on clear planning. He was unwilling for teacher assistance to come from leftover goods of a project suspected of being corrupted. “Teacher welfare must be guaranteed through planned, equitable policies integrated into the education financing system, not from the remnants of allegedly corrupt projects,” Ubaid said. If the legal process for the MBG case is eventually completed and the state secures rights to the thousands of motorcycle assets, Ubaid urged that their utilisation be decided based on the most pressing public needs. He added that their use must follow a transparent mechanism. “They could be used to support education services, health, or food distribution,” Ubaid said. For now, Ubaid emphasised that the primary focus must remain on thoroughly investigating the MBG corruption, recovering state losses, and ensuring that assets purchased with public money truly benefit the people. “That is far more important than merely finding out who will receive the motorcycles,” Ubaid said. Previously, the Attorney General’s Office sealed thousands of EMMO electric motorcycles in connection with the investigation into alleged corruption in the MBG programme. The investigating team from the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) placed red-and-white prosecutor’s seals as a sign of temporary control over approximately 6,000 electric motorcycles stored at the EMMO Electric Mobility Warehouse in the Sentul Industrial Area, Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (17/6/2026). Jampidsus Director of Investigation Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi said the sealing was to ensure the electric motorcycles do not move location. According to Syarief, the sealing was also to ensure the motorcycles do not change hands.