Prabowo Asks MBG to Focus on Malnourished Children, Not Affluent Families

Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has requested that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme be focused on children who lack nutrition. Children from affluent families are not considered a priority for recipients.

This directive was conveyed during a cabinet working meeting at the palace on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik S. Deyang, stated that assistance must be on target.

“So, children from affluent families do not need MBG because their parents can already provide good nutritious food at home,” said Nanik in an official statement on Thursday (9/4/2026).

“The President conveyed that this programme must not be forced. MBG must be focused on children who truly need nutritional improvement,” Nanik added.

The BGN is preparing a team to select recipients. This step aims to ensure more precise and efficient distribution.

Nanik assessed that a needs-based approach is key to the programme’s effectiveness.

“We want to ensure that MBG is on target and has a real impact. Therefore, supervision and evaluation will continue to be strengthened so that this programme runs optimally,” she said.

The President also requested the regulation of MBG kitchens. Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that do not meet standards are to be closed.

The BGN has frozen thousands of SPPG. Violations include non-compliance with technical guidelines, food poisoning cases, price inflation, and monopolies on raw material supplies.

This step has received the President’s support.

“Good, continue it,” said Prabowo to Nanik.

The number of SPPG units recorded is 26,066.

The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the government targets the programme’s implementation to run optimally before the end of 2026.

“On the President’s orders, we are asked to have it perfected before the end of the year,” said Zulhas during a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs on Thursday (2/4/2026).