Ramadan Free Nutritious Meal Menu Criticised for Being Under-Nutritious, DPR Commission IX Urges Stricter Supervision

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR, Yahya Zaini, responded to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu during Ramadan in various regions, which is considered to not meet nutritional needs. Yahya requested that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) immediately conduct on-site inspections and ensure the quality of the MBG during Ramadan.

Initially, Yahya explained that the food budget for the MBG was not IDR 15,000. However, it was IDR 10,000 per serving.

“According to its purpose, the food budget for the MBG is IDR 10,000. If it’s IDR 15,000, the breakdown is IDR 2,000 for foundation incentives, IDR 3,000 for operational costs, and IDR 10,000 for the MBG meal,” said Yahya to reporters on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

He said that what the public is concerned about is that the menu during Ramadan is estimated to cost less than IDR 10,000, but only IDR 8,000. This is because the public can easily calculate the estimated price of the package.

“It consists of dry bread, dates, eggs, milk, and bananas/fruit. The public can already calculate the price of the MBG during Ramadan,” he said.

“So, many parents are protesting because the nutritional content is reduced. In fact, many are rejecting the MBG,” he added.

Yahya then urged the BGN to take immediate action. He said that the BGN must go to the field to ensure the quality and safety of the MBG during Ramadan.

“Regarding this case, the BGN should not remain silent, but must go to the field to ensure that the quality and safety of the MBG during Ramadan are guaranteed. The nutritional quality should not be reduced in any way,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that the MBG during Ramadan is distributed three times a week. Yahya said that the BGN must take firm action if there are Nutrition Service Provision Units (SPPG) that do not meet operational standards regarding nutritional adequacy and food safety.

“If there are SPPGs that are negligent and do not meet operational standards regarding nutritional adequacy and food safety, they must be given strict sanctions, ranging from warnings to temporary suspension,” he said.

Yahya urged all members of the BGN to increase strict supervision in their respective areas. He reminded that complaints and protests from residents could disrupt the fasting process.

“I urge all BGN officials to go to the field and increase strict supervision in their respective areas. Disruptions and protests from residents can disrupt the solemnity and devotion of worship during fasting. I ask the BGN to help maintain the peace of those who are fasting,” he said.

Previously, the Ramadan MBG menu was widely protested by the public because it was considered not in accordance with the IDR 15,000 per day budget, resulting in insufficient nutritional intake. One of them was in Palu, Central Sulawesi.

The protest was expressed by a teacher at SDN 6 Kayumalue through a video recording that went viral on social media after receiving the MBG on Monday (February 23). The Deputy Governor of Central Sulawesi, Reny A Lamadjido, then intervened by coordinating with the MBG kitchen managers to provide guidance.

“I appreciate the teacher. Her concern for the children deserves our appreciation. This is a form of attention so that our children really get the appropriate nutritional intake,” said Reny in a statement on Tuesday (February 24).

BGN Responds

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) denied that the food budget for the MBG program during Ramadan was IDR 15,000 per serving. Deputy Head of the Agency for Communication and Investigation, Nanik S Deyang, affirmed that the food budget for the MBG was set at IDR 8,000-10,000 per serving.

Nanik said that the budget of IDR 13,000 for toddlers to grade 3 elementary school students and IDR 15,000 for grade 4 elementary school students and above to breastfeeding mothers was not entirely used for food ingredients. Some of the budget is allocated for operational needs and incentives for the foundation/implementing partners.

“So, we would like to reiterate that the food budget for toddlers/PAUD/Kindergarten/RA and elementary/Islamic elementary school grades 1-3 is IDR 8,000 per serving. Meanwhile, for elementary/Islamic elementary school grades 4 and above to breastfeeding mothers, the food budget is IDR 10,000 per serving,” said Nanik in a written statement on Tuesday (February 24).

(amw/whn)