Students Monitor Free Nutritious Meal Programme from Villages

Jakarta, VIVA – Amid intense public scrutiny over the effectiveness and operational challenges of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG), a wave of student movements has chosen to go directly to the grassroots.

Adopting a live-in method and participatory, evidence-based research, the Aliansi Mahasiswa Menjawab (AMM) has turned the village into a living laboratory to test and monitor the implementation of this National Strategic Programme.

AMM presented the findings of its research and field monitoring reports at an academic event held at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) “Veteran” Jakarta on Monday, 3 August 2026.

The initiative follows live-in research conducted at the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) of Mekarbaru Village, Tangerang Regency, Banten, on 10–12 June 2026.

AMM stressed that this village-based movement embodies the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, realising students’ intellectual role as critical partners of the state while also serving as a bridge for the hopes of the community.

“Moreover, this evidence-based, on-the-ground research is intended to revive the spirit of the Ikada Meeting of 19 September 1945—positioning students as the bastion safeguarding the sovereignty of the people’s economy from the threat of cartels and economic mafias,” said Caesar Khalifah, an AMM representative from GLM UPN VJ, speaking to the media on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Legal Protection and Academic Administration

To ensure the entire series of field research and live-in activities proceeds within a lawful legal corridor, AMM has officially partnered with the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Tridarma Indonesia through the formal granting of legal protection for the activities. The step was taken to guarantee the safety of all researchers and student volunteers in the field from potential intimidation or pressure from certain parties.

Meanwhile, as a demonstration of moral responsibility and orderly academic administration, the students involved have maintained intensive communication and coordination with their respective rectorates and campus leadership.

Field Findings and Critical Evaluation

From the live-in research at SPPG Mekarbaru Village, AMM noted that the MBG programme has significant potential to leverage the people’s economy, provided it is managed purely and honestly and in compliance with the Implementation Guidelines (Juklak) and Technical Guidelines (Juknis).