Support for Free Nutritious Meals Programme Swells as Mass Rally Held in Jakarta

Thousands of people from the South Jakarta Alliance of Child Nutrition Advocates held a peaceful rally in support of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in the Medan Merdeka Selatan area of Central Jakarta on Thursday. South Jakarta Alliance coordinator Balda stated that the MBG programme has already had a very real impact on the ground, with tens of millions of schoolchildren now directly benefiting. “This MBG programme is hugely beneficial for our children’s future. They are healthier and more enthusiastic about learning at school,” Balda said. The programme has also boosted the grassroots economy by demonstrably creating jobs for over 1.2 million people. Beyond supporting the free meals initiative, the alliance also voiced its backing for the strengthening of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). They argued the agency’s role is vital in managing and ensuring the distribution of nutritious food runs smoothly, equitably, and is well-targeted across Indonesia for the nation’s future progress. “We fully support the President’s firmness. Arrest and imprison all corruptors without exception. State money must truly return to the people for programmes like MBG,” Balda added. Through this peaceful action, the South Jakarta Alliance called on all levels of society, including student groups, to jointly safeguard pro-people government programmes. They believe that collaboration between nutritional improvement via the BGN and the eradication of corruption can lead Indonesia to become a fairer, more prosperous, and more equitable nation. The rally, which organisers claimed drew up to 10,000 participants, proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner, with the crowd gathering while carrying banners of support. A similar action took place on Wednesday at the same location, attended by thousands from the East Jakarta Alliance, who also backed the continuation of the MBG programme while urging stronger law enforcement against corruptors.