MP Questions Urgency of NCC Construction for MBG Programme
A member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR), Nurhadi, has questioned the urgency of constructing the National Command Centre (NCC) for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Nurhadi stated that to date, the commission overseeing this nutrition programme has not received any information regarding the plan.
However, Nurhadi noted, the construction of the NCC is a complex decision that requires substantial funding. “We hope that every strategic initiative, especially those related to national programmes and the use of non-trivial budgets, should be communicated openly and discussed with the DPR as part of its oversight function,” he told Tempo on Friday, 1 May 2026.
Nurhadi said that the DPR in principle supports every effort to strengthen programme governance, including the utilisation of technology. However, for building the NCC, he stated, the government should be more cautious in determining its urgency and effectiveness.
He warned against state funds being exhausted on expensive infrastructure and technology while the programme fails to address fundamental issues on the ground, such as service quality, distribution, and human resource readiness.
“If this NCC is indeed needed, it must first be clear: what problem it aims to solve, how the system will operate, and whether it is truly the most efficient solution,” said Nurhadi. “It should not become a large-scale project that absorbs budgets but fails to deliver significant impact on public services.”
In addition, Nurhadi urged the government to be open and transparent in deciding every policy so that it can be monitored by the DPR and the public. He stressed that every use of funds in the MBG programme must be on target to avoid burdening the state finances with unnecessary matters.
Previously, the government planned to inaugurate the command centre or National Command Centre for the Free Nutritious Meals programme in mid-May 2026. This was conveyed by the Deputy for Coordination of Food Affordability and Security at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, Nani Hendiarti.
“So, the command centre will be for the implementation of the MBG programme nationwide at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs. It is planned, inshallah, to be launched on 17 May, around that date,” said Nani, as quoted from Antara on Sunday, 27 April 2026.
Nani explained that the command centre will be equipped with high-speed internet networks and LED screens. These screens will display achievements and data from ministries and agencies, including the National Nutrition Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the Ministry of Agriculture.
In the future, Nani added, the system will be used by the National Coordination Team consisting of 17 ministries and agencies. Furthermore, the operation of the command centre is said to aim at enhancing synergy between the central government, regions, and various stakeholders involved.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, declined to comment on the NCC MBG construction plan, including potential overlaps with the SIPGN system currently being developed. When asked for a response via messaging application on Friday, 1 May 2026, he stated that it was the authority of the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs. “It’s more appropriate to ask the Coordinating Minister for Food,” he said.