PKB Instructs Regional Branches to Engage in Dialogue with Students

Jakarta – Highlighting the surge in student demonstrations, one of whose demands calls for halting the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) programmes, the National Awakening Party (PKB) believes the key messages of President Prabowo’s two priority programmes have not been properly conveyed among students. PKB Deputy Chairman Faisol Riza said in a written statement on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, “PKB views the criticism of MBG and KDMP as a message to the government that over nearly one and a half years, the programmes for food security, building a superior generation, and strengthening the people’s economy have not been evenly communicated to the student community.” According to him, as conveyed by President Prabowo, in facing global geopolitical changes the government’s main priority is to guarantee food availability for all Indonesian people. This includes MBG, which also aims to produce a superior generation. “Students are an intellectual group that plays a crucial role in safeguarding democracy. PKB believes that all of us, including our student friends, can understand that the substance of this government programme is our shared need at present,” he said. The Deputy Minister of Industry stressed that PKB is not turning a blind eye to various reports of irregularities and legal violations related to the implementation of these government programmes. “From the governance and technocratic side, it certainly requires a great deal of improvement and refinement. The detention of the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) some time ago proves the government is not closing its eyes to legal violations. We continue to monitor and oversee it until everything can be carried out transparently in accordance with the law,” said Faisol Riza. “For this reason, the PKB Central Executive Board instructs all PKB District Executive Councils to conduct productive dialogues with student friends on campuses in their respective regencies or cities. As part of the governing coalition, PKB is obliged to substantially explain President Prabowo’s priority programmes,” he continued. He added that productive discussions are important to build a shared view of the situation facing the Indonesian nation, both abroad and domestically, as well as to understand the steps that can be taken jointly between the government and community groups to overcome various obstacles.