Prabowo Accuses Prominent Professor of Mocking the MBG Program

President Prabowo Subianto accused educated individuals of insulting and mocking the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. Prabowo said these educated individuals even hold the title of professor. “They predicted this project would certainly fail. That this program is a waste of money,” the head of state said in his speech at the inauguration of the National Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Prabowo said there appeared to be a deliberate campaign to undermine his priority program. He did not name the professor or educated individuals he was referring to. The president suspected the smear campaign against MBG was driven by spite and envy. Despite the criticism and ridicule, Prabowo said it did not faze him.

“Something that is under attack happens to be desperately needed by people who are still economically vulnerable. Truly, it saddens me,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo expressed confidence that the MBG program, which has been running for over a year, is now on the right track. The program’s goal, he said, is to ensure Indonesian children no longer suffer from stunting. “Stunting is malnutrition. Malnutrition causes our cells to not develop properly. Bone cells don’t develop properly, brain cells don’t develop properly,” he said.

He also explained the causes of stunting, citing impoverishment as one factor behind the high rates of stunting among Indonesian children. “A project of impoverishing the Indonesian people,” he said.

The Gerindra Party chairman also revealed he had learned from other nations that the only way to overcome stunting is by feeding children, pregnant mothers, and the elderly or powerless. Prabowo modeled the program after what more than 70 countries have done. He said over 75 countries have established meal programs similar to MBG.

“India’s gross domestic product per capita is half of ours. Yet they have the courage to provide free meals for 800 million of their people,” Prabowo said.

Therefore, according to Prabowo, there is nothing wrong with the program he is pursuing. In other countries, he said, some have even incorporated such programs into their national regulations. “That is why we are carrying out this program. We face an extraordinary smear campaign, saying I am wasting money,” Prabowo said.