MUI Chairman Speaks Out on the Free Nutritious Meal Programme

The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Anwar Iskandar, considers the government’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to be a noble initiative from a religious perspective. However, he cautioned that there are still a number of issues in the programme’s implementation on the ground. He suspects that various complaints that have emerged are due to deviant practices carried out by unscrupulous individuals. Nevertheless, he noted that the government has taken enforcement action against the various violations found. Aside from providing benefits for students and Islamic boarding school pupils, Anwar stated that the MBG programme also contributes to creating jobs and stimulating the community’s economy. According to him, the existence of MBG kitchens is capable of absorbing a large workforce. It also benefits micro-entrepreneurs and farmers, ranging from tempeh and tofu producers, chicken breeders, to fishermen and vegetable farmers. Because of its wide-ranging benefits, he rejected any discourse on stopping the MBG programme. He argued that any shortcomings should be corrected, not used as a reason to disband the programme.