Student in Demak Writes to Prabowo, Requests MBG Allocation Be Redirected to Teachers
Muhammad Rafif Arsya Maulidi, an 11th-grade student at SMK NU Miftahul Falah Kudus in Central Java, has written an open letter to President Prabowo Subianto. In the letter, he requests that the allocation of funds for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme for himself be redirected to the welfare of the teachers at his school.
In the opening sentence of his letter, Rafif states that he comes from a simple family. From a young age, he claims to have been taught to respect the contributions of those who have made him a better, smarter, and more civilised person. Rafif mentions that after his parents, teachers are the figures he respects the most.
Nevertheless, Rafif believes that many teachers, including those at his school, have not yet received decent welfare. On the other hand, the government is allocating substantial funds to the MBG programme.
“Through this letter, I convey my personal aspiration. I declare that I refuse to receive MBG for myself. If possible, the funds that should be allocated for me could be redirected as additional allowances for my teachers,” Rafif writes in his letter, which he posted on his personal Instagram account @arsya_graph, as quoted by Republika on Sunday (5/4/2026).
He adds that his remaining time at SMK NU Miftahul Falah Kudus is about 1.5 years. “If calculated simply (18 months x 25 days x Rp15,000 = Rp6,750,000). For me personally, this amount may not change much, but it could serve as a form of appreciation for the teachers’ dedication. I request that my share be redirected solely for the teachers’ welfare,” says Rafif.
He invites his fellow students to voice the importance of teachers’ welfare. Rafif believes that teachers are one of the pillars of national progress.
“This letter is not a rejection of the government, but rather an expression of a student’s concern for teachers’ welfare. I greatly hope that this aspiration can be considered in future education policies,” Rafif writes in the closing sentence of his letter.
Republika has contacted Rafif for a follow-up interview regarding his open letter to the President. However, as of the writing of this news, Rafif has not responded.