Pigai: Komnas HAM Does Not Understand Human Rights Principles
Minister for Human Rights Natalius Pigai has criticised statements made by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regarding indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) project.
He stated that Komnas HAM’s assertions regarding the MBG programme are irrelevant. He argued that in the context of the MBG controversy, Komnas HAM should instead issue statements regarding criminal violations, mismanagement, or misleading practices in its administration.
“That is why I say Komnas HAM does not understand human rights principles,” said Pigai when met at the DPR, MPR, and DPD Complex on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
According to him, designating something as a human rights violation must follow established mechanisms. In the context of the MBG, the project is still in its developmental stage.
Therefore, he stated that any assessment of human rights violations within the MBG should only be determined once the development is completed, rather than while the project is still being implemented.
Regarding reports of poisoning incidents, Pigai did not deny that such incidents occurred. However, he noted that poisoning does not fall under the definition of developmental violations, but rather constitutes an error in execution that can be subject to gradual evaluation.
“That is in accordance with human rights principles. This is why I say many in Komnas HAM do not understand; it is surprising that the commissioners do not originate from a human rights background,” Pigai remarked.
On Monday, 15 June, Komnas HAM Commissioner Uli Parulian Sihombing stated that the commission had found indications of human rights violations in the implementation of the MBG project.
He noted that there were eight initial findings by Komnas HAM indicating fundamental issues in the execution of this flagship programme of the Prabowo Subianto administration. One such issue is that the number of beneficiaries is too broad. Uli stated that the MBG programme would be more effective and precise if focused on specific groups, such as communities in 3T areas (frontier, outermost, and least developed) and 3B groups in dire need of nutritious food.
Other findings by Komnas HAM include a lack of clarity regarding the division of authority between agencies, as well as weak coordination between the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the government.
“Based on these initial findings, Komnas HAM has found strong indications that human rights violations have occurred in the implementation of the MBG project,” said Uli.