Prabowo Wants MBG to Focus on Malnourished Children, Expert Suggests PIP Data as a Benchmark

Public policy expert from the University of Indonesia (UI), Lina Miftahul Jannah, stated that data from recipients of the Indonesia Pintar Programme (PIP) could serve as a benchmark to ensure the free nutritious meal (MBG) programme reaches its intended targets. According to Lina, PIP provides access to data on children whose parents are unable to provide nutritious food due to economic limitations. “I think by synchronising with schools and PIP,” said Lina to Kompas.com on Monday (13/4/2026). Lina added that PIP could also be synchronised with the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) for verification purposes. She also appreciated the President’s initiative to focus the MBG programme on children with nutritional deficiencies. According to Lina, Prabowo’s step is appropriate as it aligns with several data points she gathered from the field in recent times. She mentioned that parents want the MBG programme to target schools with lower fees rather than those with high payments. “Well, these matters should then become the President’s attention. Because funds are not only about efficiency, I think, but also must be on target,” she said. Prabowo’s request for MBG to focus on children from underprivileged families was conveyed by Nanik S. Deyang, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, in her official statement on Thursday (9/4/2026).