Parents in Batam Complain Ramadan Free Nutritious Meal Consisted of One Biscuit and Half a Corn Cob; Nutrition Service Unit Reprimanded

Parents of students in Lubuk Baja district, Batam, Riau Islands, have voiced complaints about the menu provided under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme during Ramadan, describing the food as little more than a snack.

One parent, Nurjanah, said she was shocked by the MBG menu her child received on Monday (23 February). She reported that her child was given three dates, one biscuit, one bread roll, and half a boiled corn cob.

“When I saw the menu that was received, I thought, is this all there is? This is a snack, not a nutritious meal,” Nurjanah said.

Nurjanah estimated the value of the MBG menu her child received did not reach Rp 15,000. She argued it would be better for the assistance to be distributed as cash.

“If you add it all up, it’s probably only worth around Rp 6,000. It would be better to give us the Rp 15,000 in cash so we can cook at home ourselves — at least we’d know the nutritional value,” she said.

Nurjanah confirmed she had lodged a protest with the school to be forwarded to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) responsible for distributing the MBG meals. The head of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Office (KPPG) for the Riau, Riau Islands, and West Sumatra region, Syariwidya, said she had reprimanded the SPPG in question.

“I have already reprimanded the head of the SPPG, and improvements will be made to the menu to better align with the nutritional adequacy standards for beneficiaries,” she said.