Prabowo: BGN Head Must Stand Firm Despite the Criticism
President Prabowo Subianto urged the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to remain steadfast in the face of criticism and vilification over the implementation of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the National Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Prabowo said criticism and slander are commonplace when running a major program with broad impact on society. “A person who is attacked, a person who is vilified—that means they matter. A person who is never vilified, never slandered—it means they don’t matter,” Prabowo said in his speech.
He specifically called on BGN Head Dadan Hindayana to stay strong against the various attacks on the MBG program. “Pak Dadan is also strong in his expertise. So stay resilient, Pak Dadan. Thank you. Our approach is rational, scholarly, scientific, and with a clean heart and good intentions. We want to eliminate poverty, we want to eliminate hunger,” he said.
On the occasion, Prabowo reiterated that the MBG program is beginning to show economic and social impact. He said he had received reports from a number of regional leaders stating that the program is helping to reduce inequality. According to him, each SPPG kitchen can absorb around 50 workers. Beyond creating jobs, the food ingredient needs for kitchen operations are said to be driving the smallholder farming economy.
“Now their production is being absorbed. Before, at harvest time, they didn’t know who would buy it,” Prabowo said.
The Gerindra Party chairman also addressed criticism from foreign media over the involvement of the military and police in the food program. He emphasized that security forces are part of the people and it is therefore natural for them to be involved in efforts to improve public welfare. “This is the people’s military, this is the people’s police. The people’s suffering is the suffering of the military and police,” he said.
Prabowo stressed that the government will continue to carry out strategic programs despite facing criticism. He declared that Indonesia is on the right track toward food self-sufficiency and economic resurgence. “We will stand on our own two feet,” he said.