Prabowo Urges MBG to Focus on Malnourished Children, Expert: The Right Step

Public policy expert from the University of Indonesia, Lina Miftahul Jannah, stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s initiative to focus the free nutritious meal (MBG) programme on malnourished children is highly appropriate. She explained that the focus requested by Prabowo aims to return the programme to its original goal of targeting those without the economic means to access food, such as children far from facilities. “For example, far from places and all sorts of things, that should become the focus, so if asked whether it’s appropriate? Yes (it’s appropriate),” Lina told Kompas.com on Monday (13/4/2026). “I say this is an extraordinary step if it’s truly going to be used that way,” she added. She mentioned that parents want the MBG programme not to target schools with high fees. According to Lina, implementing MBG in so-called “elite” schools has been rejected outright, leaving the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) confused and ultimately reducing portions. Prabowo’s request to focus MBG on children from low-income families was conveyed by Nanik S. Deyang, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, in an official statement on Thursday (9/4/2026). “So, if children from well-off families don’t need MBG because their parents can already provide good nutritious food at home,” Nanik said. The President also emphasised that distribution should not be forced. Students from capable families are not required to receive the assistance. BGN is preparing a team to select recipients. This step aims to ensure more targeted and efficient distribution. Nanik assessed that a needs-based approach is key to the programme’s effectiveness. “We want to ensure MBG is on target and has a real impact. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen monitoring and evaluation so that this programme runs optimally,” she stated.