PDI-P Bans Party Members from Seeking Rent from Free Nutritious Meal Programme
JAKARTA — The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has prohibited its members from seeking rents from the Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) programme.
The party, which received the most votes in the 2024 elections, seeks to oversee the implementation of this flagship government programme closely, ensuring it is beneficial and well-targeted.
PDI-P is also preparing measures to close loopholes enabling irregularities in the MBG programme’s implementation.
The Central Board of Executives (DPP) of PDI-Perjuangan issued a circular instructing all party members not to utilise the Free Nutritious Meal programme to seek personal or group financial advantage.
According to a copy of the circular numbered 940/IN/DPP/II/2026 received by Kompas.com, the instruction is confidential and was signed by PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and PDI-P DPP Chair of the Honour Division Komarudin Watubun on 24 February 2026.
In the circular, PDI-P emphasised that the MBG programme is a government programme financed from the State Budget (APBN), including reallocations from the national education budget.
“The DPP of PDI Perjuangan instructs all party members across the Three Party Pillars (Structural, Legislative, and Executive) that it is strictly prohibited, whether directly or indirectly, to utilise the MBG Programme to seek financial gain or other forms of material benefit,” stated one point in the circular, as quoted by Kompas.com on Friday (27 February 2026).
Additionally, members are asked to oversee the implementation of the MBG programme in their regions to ensure it runs in accordance with regulations, reaches the correct targets, operates transparently, and prioritises public safety.
The circular also emphasised that any violation of the instruction will be considered a breach of party discipline and subject to organisational sanctions under the party’s Constitution and By-Laws as well as internal party regulations.
The DPP of PDI-P stated that the issuance of the instruction was prompted by various inputs and public complaints regarding suspected irregularities in the MBG implementation, ranging from targeting errors, implementation quality issues, poisoning cases, to suspected corruption and abuse of authority.
At the institutional level, PDI-P also affirmed that the technical responsibility for implementing MBG rests with the National Nutrition Agency in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
In the same circular, PDI-P will impose sanctions on members who exploit the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme for personal interests or treat it as a project.
The party, symbolised by a white-muzzled bull’s head, emphasised that there must be no commercialisation in a programme funded by public money.