Sri Sultan demands Free Nutritious Meal programme not carelessly executed

Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has responded to numerous complaints from parents regarding the quality of meals provided under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. During Ramadan, the MBG consisted of bread, which parents deemed unsuitable as a primary nutritional source.

Sri Sultan revealed that he has instructed the DIY Regional Secretary, Ni Made Dwi Panti Indrayanti, to immediately summon the MBG programme administrators. “I have asked the Regional Secretary to call the MBG programme officials because there have been protests about the materials or menu not being appropriate,” Sri Sultan stated in a press statement from the DIY Regional Government Communications Office on Friday (27 February).

The DIY Government has imposed strict requirements on programme implementers to ensure food quality genuinely reflects the allocated budget. Sri Sultan expressed concern that meal presentation should not be executed carelessly without proper nutritional calculations.

Sri Sultan further emphasised the importance of reasonable cost breakdowns. The Governor hopes there will be no further price manipulation that results in drastically reduced food quality when it reaches students. “We are setting conditions for the programme officials that it cannot be done haphazardly. The assumption is that this price is not merely Rp10,000, so hopefully the menu will be improved and there is a clear price that they have agreed to,” Sri Sultan explained.

This firmness extends to minute details that may have previously escaped oversight, such as the provision of accompanying fruits. For Sri Sultan, transparency down to the smallest unit is key to preventing further public controversy over the programme.

“And for example, if they give bananas, the price of the bananas should be clear so that there is no confusion. There should be no more questions that make everyone uncomfortable. That is all,” Sri Sultan concluded.

Sri Sultan’s firm statement signals that the DIY Regional Government will not tolerate sloppy programme execution. With commitments to improvement from programme officials, it is hoped that future MBG menus will no longer be dominated by bread but will instead feature nutritious meals capable of supporting students’ physical needs, particularly during Ramadan fasting.

In response to the Governor’s directive, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Regional DIY expressed full support for the transparency measures. The Head of BGN Regional DIY, Gagat Widyatmoko, assured that price information for MBG meals during Ramadan would be implemented promptly.

“Regarding the provision of price information on MBG menus during Ramadan, in principle we fully support this transparency measure,” said Gagat.

According to Gagat, this policy is part of an initiative previously discussed with the DIY MBG Task Force. The agency has instructed all Nutritional Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) to promptly execute the inclusion of price information in accordance with regulations.

“We hope that this measure will enhance accountability whilst maintaining public trust in the implementation of the MBG Programme,” Gagat concluded.