Prabowo Admits Shortcomings in MBG Management, 3,000 Kitchens Closed

JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has admitted that the management of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme still has shortcomings. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we acknowledge that there are still many deficiencies in MBG management,’ Prabowo said at a plenary session at the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Nevertheless, the government is taking steps to clamp down on violations that have occurred. Prabowo also said more than 3,000 Nutrition Service Provision Units (SPPG) have been closed. ‘We have closed more than 3,000 kitchens,’ the Head of State told reporters. ‘I have asked officials, and I invite members of the DPR, regents nationwide to inspect all kitchens. If anything is not in order, report it immediately and we will act,’ he said. According to Prabowo, MBG should not be mismanaged. He added that the programme is part of the orders of the 1945 Constitution, in particular Articles 33 and 34. ‘The figures include 6.3 million children under five, 2 million breastfeeding mothers, and 868,000 pregnant women receiving MBG every day,’ he continued. The government will also extend MBG to elderly people living alone. ‘We will also provide MBG to 500,000 elderly people who live by themselves, who live solitary lives and who need nutritious meals,’ he emphasised.