PDI-P Threatens Sanctions Against Members Who Commercialise Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Jakarta – The PDI-P Central Executive Board (DPP) will impose sanctions on party members who exploit the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme for personal interests or convert it into a business project.

The party with the bull-head emblem emphasised that there should be no commercialisation of the programme, which is financed by public funds.

This was outlined in DPP PDI-P Letter Number 940/IN/DPP/II/2026 regarding instructions related to the MBG programme, issued on 24 February 2026 and signed by PDI-P Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto and DPP Disciplinary Chairman Komarudin Watubun.

“Any violation of this instruction shall be viewed as a breach of Party discipline and shall be subject to organisational sanctions in accordance with the Party Constitution and Bylaws as well as Party internal regulations,” read one of the instruction points in the letter received by Kompas.com, cited Friday (27/2/2026).

“It is strictly prohibited, either directly or indirectly, to exploit the MBG programme to seek financial profit or other forms of material benefit,” quoted from the letter.

Beyond the prohibition on seeking profit, PDI-P members are required to maintain integrity and ensure no abuse of authority that could damage public trust in the party.

Members are also asked to oversee the implementation of MBG in their respective regions to ensure it operates in accordance with applicable regulations, targets the right beneficiaries, operates transparently, and prioritises community safety.

In its considerations, the DPP noted that the MBG programme is financed by the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), including through reallocation of the national education budget which is fundamentally intended for educational purposes.

Institutionally, the DPP affirmed that the technical responsibility for implementing MBG rests with the National Nutrition Agency in accordance with applicable regulations.

PDI-P politician Guntur Romli confirmed the existence of the circular letter.

He emphasised that the instruction represented the party’s firm stance to prevent members from engaging in MBG business activities.

“Accordingly, the party prohibits the involvement of members and cadres of PDI-Perjuangan in the MBG business,” he concluded.