Thousands of Free Nutritious Meal Programme Partners Rally Peacefully in Trenggalek to Show Support

Trenggalek, East Java (ANTARA) - More than 3,000 volunteers and partners of the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG), united under the Trenggalek Regency Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Partners Association, held a peaceful rally in front of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building in Trenggalek, East Java, on Monday to voice support for the continuation of the MBG programme. The crowd, which gathered in the courtyard of Pasar Pon Trenggalek, marched on foot to the DPRD office under the escort of security personnel. They carried banners and posters and delivered speeches expressing support for President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programme, citing its broad benefits for the community. The rally participants comprised various elements involved in the MBG ecosystem, ranging from SPPG managers, farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen to micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) actors and volunteers. They assessed that the MBG programme not only benefits recipients such as schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women, and the elderly but also drives the regional economy through the absorption of local products and job creation. Imam Waldi, Chairman of the Trenggalek Regency MBG Partners Association, stated that the rally carried three main demands. First, to support the sustainability of the MBG programme while conducting a comprehensive evaluation to improve implementation quality. Second, to urge the cleansing of the programme from corrupt practices and abuse of authority, along with transparent law enforcement against proven violators. Third, to request greater involvement for MSMEs and local products in the MBG programme’s supply chain. ‘This action is our form of support for President Prabowo’s strategic programme. This programme has proven to provide benefits for many layers of society and needs to be continued with various improvements,’ Imam said. According to him, the existence of the SPPG has created many new job opportunities while opening markets for local agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. Therefore, the community that directly benefits from the programme hopes that MBG will continue and improve in the future. The aspirations received a positive response from the Trenggalek DPRD. DPRD Chairman Doding Rahmadi, who received the representatives along with other council leaders and members, stated that all demands would be forwarded to the central government. According to Doding, the substance of the demands conveyed by the community aligns with the DPRD’s views, namely supporting the continuation of MBG accompanied by comprehensive evaluation, eradicating corrupt practices, and strengthening the role of local products in its implementation. ‘Today, we received aspirations from around 3,000 community members united in the MBG Partners Association. All aspirations will be accommodated and followed up to be conveyed to the central government,’ he said. He added that the Trenggalek DPRD had previously held an audience with several community elements, including students, regarding the governance of the MBG programme in the region. From that forum, a number of recommendations emerged to strengthen oversight and improve the performance of the MBG task force in the area. According to Doding, one issue of concern is the absence of a representative office for the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) in Trenggalek. This situation makes it difficult for the public to access information or submit complaints regarding the programme’s implementation. ‘We hope that in the future, supervision will be stronger, governance will be better, and the public can access information about the MBG programme more easily,’ he said.