Prabowo States MBG Will Not Be Stopped, Savings Can Still Be Made in Other Ways
President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme will not be discontinued, even amid criticisms regarding its substantial budgetary requirements in the face of fiscal pressures. He described the programme as a top priority because it targets a fundamental issue: the nutritional condition of children across various regions.
“I will stand firm. As much as possible. Rather than money being corrupted, it’s better if my people can eat,” he stated during a discussion with several figures, broadcast on the Prabowo Subianto YouTube channel, as quoted on Sunday (22/3).
Prabowo recounted witnessing stunting issues firsthand during field visits in his campaign period. According to him, this condition provides strong justification for maintaining the programme.
“I saw it; I campaigned several times in villages, I saw it. How old are you? 11 years old, but the body of a 4-year-old child,” he explained.
He affirmed his conviction that the policy is on the right track, while staking his leadership on the programme’s outcomes in the coming years.
“I am confident I am on the right path. We have the money. We have the money. I stake my leadership in 2029; we’ll see,” he said.
Amid concerns over fiscal pressures, Prabowo rejected proposals to stop the programme. He assessed that there are still many areas for efficiency in other government sectors.
“So don’t go towards, ‘okay, there’s a crisis, then we’ll stop MBG’. There are still many other ways we can save,” he remarked.
He also claimed that the programme has significant long-term economic impacts, referencing studies from international institutions.
According to Prabowo, these benefits are not only economic but also relate to building the quality of human resources. “So, this is strategic. This is for our human capital,” he stated.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged various shortcomings in the programme’s implementation, including findings that several facilities needed to be closed.
“There are more than a thousand (SPPGs) that we’ve already closed,” Prabowo clarified.
However, he stressed the immense need for the programme, particularly in regions outside Java, which he believes still require government intervention to meet community nutritional needs.
Prabowo also highlighted field challenges that extend beyond food distribution to public health habits.
“How do we convince them? Wash hands, if you want to eat, use hands. We’ve already distributed plastic spoons,” he concluded. (H-4)
Prabowo stated that strict enforcement is applied to kitchens that do not meet standards, with direct oversight in the field.
He mentioned that the MBG programme will resume distribution to recipients starting from 31 March 2026.
This temporary suspension of MBG operations is part of strategic management to ensure distribution remains on target.
He emphasised that the government will continue to prioritise more productive and targeted expenditures.
The National Nutrition Agency has temporarily halted operations at nine SPPG facilities in Gresik Regency, East Java, after discovering the serving of whole coconuts in the Free Nutritious Meals programme menu.