Prabowo Stresses Importance of Free Nutritious Meals, Gerindra Denies Monitoring Gibran

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is crucial for addressing hunger and meeting the nutritional needs of the public, especially children. Speaking at the peak of the 2026 National Farmers and Fishermen Contact Week (PENAS KTNA) in Gorontalo, Prabowo challenged those who oppose the programme to ask farmers, fishermen, and children directly whether the initiative is necessary. He stated that food needs are a fundamental issue that must be a focus of the government.

In other political developments, House of Representatives Commission I member TB Hasanuddin has urged the government to evaluate basic military training (latsarmil) following the deaths of two participants from the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangunan Indonesia (SPPI) programme for the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) and Red and White Fishermen Village (KNMP). Hasanuddin requested that the health of prospective participants be thoroughly checked before they undergo training to ensure they are fit for physical activities, especially in hot conditions.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a prospective manager for the KNMP programme, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, died while undergoing basic military training at the Pusbahasa Kodiklau in Jakarta. The ministry expressed its deepest condolences to the family, noting that this death adds to the list of casualties after two other participants previously died during similar training.

Separately, the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) denied allegations that recent demonstrations supporting the MBG programme were orchestrated. Acting Deputy for Partnership and Media Relations Kurnia Ramadhana stated that the government respects the rights of all citizens to express their opinions, whether in support or criticism of government policies, and dismissed the claims of conditioning as untrue.

Finally, the Gerindra Party faction in the House of Representatives refuted rumours circulating on social media that Faction Chairman Budi Djiwandono had requested surveillance of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s movements. Faction Secretary Bambang Haryadi confirmed that no such discussion or instruction had ever taken place in any faction meeting he attended.