Prabowo reveals over 1,000 SPPG units suspended as government tightens standards
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has revealed that more than 1,000 kitchens of the Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) units in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme have been temporarily suspended as part of efforts to improve the quality of services.
According to information from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom) received in Jakarta on Thursday, the President stated that this step was taken by the government to ensure that nutritional service standards, cleanliness, and food safety are fully met, allowing the programme to run optimally and on target.
“I checked it directly. I called the Head of BGN and kept cross-checking,” said Prabowo during a question-and-answer session with journalists and experts at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, which aired on Thursday (19/3).
Prabowo emphasised that this policy does not mean halting the programme, but rather forms part of a comprehensive evaluation and improvement process. According to him, the decision was made after direct checks following various inputs and criticisms regarding the implementation of MBG in the field.
According to Prabowo, the government does not turn a blind eye to criticism; instead, it uses it as material for evaluation to enhance the quality of the programme that concerns the future of the nation’s generation.
“I sent my people to check. I think, if I’m not mistaken, out of tens of thousands of kitchens, we’ve closed more than a thousand,” he continued.
Prabowo stated that strict action is taken against kitchens that do not meet standards, with direct oversight in the field.
“More than a thousand. I have a deputy head, one lady, this lady, Mrs Nanik. She’s very strict. She keeps doing surprise inspections,” he said.
“Those that have been suspended: 1,030. And what we’re doing now is certification. So if your kitchen wants to survive for more than a certain number of months, you must pass hygiene certification, food safety certification, check the water, how safe the water is, how the water is cooked, then the pots, all of that has criteria. If it’s not up to standard, it’s closed,” said the President.
The government is also opening a public oversight mechanism, providing access for reporting by the public, schools, or parents to monitor and report on the programme’s implementation in the field.
Prabowo stressed that transparency and public involvement are key to ensuring the MBG programme runs cleanly and on target.
“Anyone can check. School principals, parents, local communities can enter and complain,” he asserted.
He also emphasised the importance of building a new culture in programme governance, namely abandoning practices of reporting that do not match facts.
“Reports that are all good are not a good culture. We must dare to face reality,” he said.
Going forward, the government will continue to strengthen oversight, improve systems, and ensure that the MBG programme truly provides real benefits in improving the nutritional quality of the community, especially children.