Prabowo Calls for Strict Action Against Misconduct in the MBG Programme

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto said he will take firm action against any irregularities in the management of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. He invited the public, MPs and local governors to inspect all MBG kitchens and report any deviations. The remarks were made in his address on the Macro-Economic Framework and Fiscal Policy Package (KEM-PPKF) for the 2027 RAPBN in the DPR plenary chamber in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. ‘I’ve asked officials, and I invite members of the DPR and regents nationwide to inspect all kitchens. If there is anything not in order, report it immediately, and we will take action,’ Prabowo said. The President stressed that he would not allow problems that could disrupt the government’s priority programme. ‘We will not permit issues of such importance to be handled improperly, ladies and gentlemen,’ he added. He also acknowledged remaining shortcomings in MBG implementation and noted that more than 3,000 MBG kitchens had been closed. ‘We acknowledge there are many deficiencies in MBG management. We have closed over 3,000 kitchens,’ he said. Nevertheless, Prabowo affirmed that the MBG programme embodies mandates under Articles 33 and 34 of the 1945 Constitution. To date, MBG has reached 62.4 million beneficiaries daily, including 6.3 million young children, 2 million breastfeeding mothers, and 868,000 pregnant women. ‘We will also provide MBG to 500,000 elderly people living alone, vulnerable or in need of nutritious meals,’ he concluded.