The 'Flavours of Bhayangkara Nusantara' Book Embodies the Success of the MBG Programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Special Assistant to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for Communication and Policy Analysis, Dirgayuza Setiawan, stated that the ‘Flavours of Bhayangkara Nusantara’ book, now available in the Middle East and the Americas, has become an instrument of cultural diplomacy for President Prabowo Subianto.
“The presence of this book is a strategic diplomatic instrument. This book helps Indonesian Ambassadors in various countries, including in Jeddah, to explain to the international community about the richness, diversity, and successful implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in Indonesia,” said Dirgayuza, who is also the author of the book, in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
According to him, this book not only talks about cuisine but also conveys state policy messages through a universal cultural approach that is easily accepted across nations.
After receiving widespread attention in Europe and the Americas, the English version of the ‘Flavours of Bhayangkara Nusantara’ book, titled ‘Taste of Nusantara: 80 Bhayangkara Menu for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Programme’, is now officially available in the Middle East.
The book was handed over directly by the Deputy Chief of Police, Commissioner General Pol. Dedi Prasetyo, to the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Jeddah as part of a courtesy call in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
The handover marks the official presence of ‘Flavours of Bhayangkara Nusantara’ in the Middle East as part of President Prabowo’s cultural diplomacy, which emphasises culture, social care, and the development of Indonesian human resources in the eyes of the world.
The handover of the book was received directly by the Consul General of Indonesia in Jeddah, Yusron Bahauddin Ambary, and also symbolises the strengthening of the role of Indonesian representatives abroad in conveying national policy narratives in a more inclusive manner and easily understood by the international community.
Dirgayuza Setiawan continued that the MBG programme, as one of President Prabowo’s priority programmes, has now become the focus and discussion of various world figures.
“In various international forums, the MBG has even been mentioned as one of the world programmes that has received global support and attention, including from the United Nations (UN). To date, 107 countries have implemented similar programmes as part of efforts to improve the nutritional quality of their communities,” he explained.
As a country with a rich culinary culture that spans from Sabang to Merauke, with hundreds of customs and traditions and a variety of local food ingredients, Indonesia has its own uniqueness in the implementation of the MBG.
The diversity of cooking traditions and local wisdom makes the implementation of the MBG in Indonesia one of the most diverse in the world.
This diversity is what is now attracting the attention of various nations. Indonesia is not only implementing a nutrition programme but also strengthening cultural identity and local food potential in every implementation.
The presence of ‘Flavours of Bhayangkara Nusantara’ in Jeddah complements the series of Indonesian cultural diplomacy that has been present in various world centres.
On January 21, 2026, the book was handed over to the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK in London. Subsequently, the book was introduced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as part of Indonesia’s diplomatic showcase.
The English version of the book has also been introduced at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C., United States, along with President Prabowo and his delegation, before finally reaching the Middle East, brought directly by the Deputy Chief of Police.