PDIP Issues Circular Instructing Members Not to Profit from Free Nutritious Meals Programme
The Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has issued a circular instruction prohibiting all party members from exploiting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. PDIP politician Guntur Romli explained the purpose of the circular.
“That is correct—the circular is an internal party statement to confirm that the party has never authorised individuals to engage in MBG ‘business’,” Guntur told reporters on Friday (27 February 2026).
Guntur emphasised the party’s current stance is clear: it rejects the commercialisation of public programmes.
“With this prohibition, the party’s position is very clear. MBG is a government programme for the public, and in its implementation, there must be no commercialisation of this public programme,” he said.
According to him, the circular also responds to statements from National Nutrition Agency Deputy Chief Nanik S Deyang, who claimed all political parties operate MBG kitchens, also known as Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). Guntur stated that with this circular, the party clearly prohibits members from owning SPPG facilities.
“The circular also responds to allegations by National Nutrition Agency Deputy Chief Nanik Sudaryati that all political party members operate MBG kitchens. Therefore, the party prohibits the involvement of PDIP members and cadres in MBG business,” Guntur said.
Previously, PDIP instructed all party members not to exploit the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme for personal or group interests. PDIP will take firm action against members who violate the rules.
This is contained in a Circular (SE) dated 24 February 2026, received on Thursday (26 February). The circular was signed by PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto and DPP Chairman Komarudin Watubun.
In the circular, the PDIP DPP emphasises that the MBG programme is funded from the State Budget (APBN), including through reallocation of the national education budget sourced from public taxes.
“The education budget is fundamentally allocated to the maximum for national education interests to advance the nation’s intellectual life, including teacher salaries and allowances, improving teacher capacity and quality, and providing educational infrastructure.
National Nutrition Agency Statement
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) previously revealed that all political parties operate MBG kitchens, also known as Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), with locations scattered across various regions.
“If we don’t have records, but if I hear about it, I want to answer—all parties have kitchens (MBG), all of them. Because I usually ask, I usually visit regions, the district heads know ‘who operates this’, I ask,” said Nanik at the 2026 New Year Spirit event in South Jakarta on Wednesday (14 January).
Nevertheless, Nanik believes anyone can own an SPPG as long as they apply national standards for hygiene, food safety, layout, and raw material quality.
“For me, anyone is welcome, as long as the kitchen is proper, and if the owner is a public figure, please take care of it, build a proper kitchen, don’t let a prominent figure own it but the kitchen causes food poisoning. So actually, if the owner is a public figure or anyone in the public eye, they should build a good kitchen,” said Nanik.