Task Force: MBG Quality Remains Up to Standard Despite Budget Cut

Mataram – The Mataram City Free Nutritious Meals Task Force (MBG) in West Nusa Tenggara Province has assured that the quality of meals provided to students, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers will remain in line with standards despite budget reductions.

‘We have assured that the budget cut will not compromise the quality or nutritional content of the meals served,’ said H Lalu Martawang, Chair of the Mataram City MBG Task Force, in Mataram on Monday.

This statement was made in response to the government’s decision to reduce the MBG programme budget for 2026 by Rp67 trillion, from an initial Rp335 trillion to Rp268 trillion.

‘The budget cuts do not pertain to quality but to the scope of coverage, and do not affect compliance with nutritional standards and other aspects,’ he explained.

Through the established MBG Task Force, the Mataram City Government is committed to closely coordinating with regional coordinators to ensure the programme runs optimally.

‘Insha’Allah, we hope quality will be maintained through regular coordination and monitoring,’ he added.