State Secretary Ensures Free Nutritious Meals Governance Overhauled Promptly

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has confirmed that the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme will be overhauled as quickly as possible. He stated there will be a comprehensive evaluation. “As conveyed earlier by the Coordinating Minister. We have agreed together that we need a comprehensive restructuring of this MBG programme. In terms of timing, of course, as soon as possible,” Pras said following a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food office in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday. Pras revealed the existence of problem clusters in the MBG’s implementation. One of these concerns the beneficiary clusters, which need to be reorganised. He highlighted priorities in the 3T regions (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost). “There are clusters that we must reorganise and fix. Including a request earlier which we think is also good for us to immediately prioritise, so that our compatriots in the 3T regions can benefit from this Free Nutritious Meals programme as soon as possible,” he said. Pras also disclosed the expanded number of beneficiaries, which now target pregnant and breastfeeding women. “There has also been a significant increase in the past two weeks regarding beneficiaries termed the 3B. For pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers under five years old,” he stated. In addition to evaluating the MBG’s implementation, Pras confirmed the programme will continue to run. He asked to ensure the evaluation is carried out immediately. “So, most of it is running according to the established mechanisms and SOPs, so that continues,” Pras said. “Therefore, we ask for your support and patience as we work hard to reorganise everything,” he concluded.