Prabowo Introduces Kristina Beno, Beneficiary of Free Nutritious Meals Programme from Merauke

President Prabowo Subianto introduced Kristina Beno, a sixth-grade primary school pupil from Merauke, South Papua, who benefits from the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, during the 2026 Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPD and DPR at the MPR/DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday.

“Today with us is Kristina Beno, a sixth-grade primary school pupil from Merauke, South Papua. Thank you, Kristina. This is your first time attending the MPR. One day you may sit up here,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo noted that a son of Papua already serves as a minister, namely Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and expressed hope that Papuan children may one day lead Indonesia in the future.

Prabowo then spoke about the benefits of the MBG programme experienced by Kristina. According to him, the programme has made Kristina fitter, more focused, and more diligent in attending school.

“For some people, a plate of food may seem ordinary or simple. For Kristina, and now for tens of millions of MBG recipients every school day, a plate of food is energy for learning, protein for growing a healthy body, healthy brain cells, healthy bone cells, healthy muscle cells. They can learn, and they can develop as healthy and intelligent Indonesian children. They now have a better future,” Prabowo said.

The President stressed that Indonesia’s human development must begin with meeting basic needs, especially nutrition. Prabowo emphasised that no child should have to learn while hungry.

“We start from the most basic thing, namely nutrition. No child of ours should learn in a state of hunger. No child can learn well if he or she is hungry,” he said.

Prabowo also discussed the problem of poor nutrition that still occurs in a number of regions, with the figure said to still reach around 25 per cent, or one in four Indonesian children. According to him, this condition must not be allowed to continue because it can hinder the development of children’s brains, muscles, and bones.

“We must not accept that one in four Indonesian children suffers from stunting. We must not accept that,” he said.

Prabowo stressed that the government will continue the MBG programme with improvements and increased efficiency.

“And therefore I am determined to continue the MBG programmes with improvements, with efficiency,” Prabowo said.

On that occasion, Prabowo also strongly condemned parties who commit corruption involving food for children in the MBG programme. He described such actions as deeds devoid of humanitarian values.

“I consider those who would corrupt food meant for these children to be barbaric people. These are people who do not deserve our respect. In my view, this has completely lost any humanitarian value,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo then invited all session participants to show appreciation to Kristina and all Indonesian children, including pregnant women and the elderly who are part of the programme’s beneficiaries.

“The state will not abandon you all. The state is with you, the state will be present with you. That is the promise of all of us in this assembly,” he said.