Thousands Rally in Mataram Demanding Free Nutritious Meals Programme Continue, Chant 'Mas Bowo is Handsome'

Thousands of volunteers and partners of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme staged a demonstration in front of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor’s Office on Monday (22/6/2026). The crowd urged that the programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto be continued. The mass of volunteers, partners, and owners of MBG kitchens, known as Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG), surrounded the Governor’s Office gate, carrying various banners expressing their demands and support for the MBG programme. “Please do not stop MBG because its benefits are so tangible for us,” said Laili, an MBG volunteer from West Lombok, during the protest. Action Coordinator Syawaludin Aweng asserted in his speech that all attendees were fully committed to safeguarding President Prabowo’s priority programme. He stated that the programme had become an economic lifeline for residents struggling to find work. “Come on, all people of NTB, support MBG. If you want your children to be intelligent, continue MBG!” Aweng shouted before the thousands of attendees. The protest was also marked by unique chants led by Aweng. “Come on everyone, sing: MBG, Mas Bowo is handsome! What fruit is the sweetest? Bowo!” Aweng called out, met with a roar from the crowd. Aweng even insinuated that those rejecting the programme were simply envious. “Those who reject MBG are jealous people,” he asserted. Echoing Aweng, another speaker, Nurhidayah, detailed the tangible impact of the MBG programme in mobilising grassroots sectors in NTB, from farmers and fishermen to MSME players. The politician from West Lombok highlighted how MBG opened opportunities for women unable to enter the formal sector, including widows. “Many women with widow status can support their families after becoming MBG volunteers. If this programme is stopped, I am certain the unemployment rate will soar,” Nurhidayah stressed. Seeing these positive impacts, the crowd demanded the NTB Provincial Government take a stand. Nurhidayah urged NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal to immediately issue an official statement supporting the programme’s continuation. “We ask the Governor to immediately declare his stance supporting the MBG programme so it continues in NTB,” she concluded. The demands of the thousands of MBG supporters in NTB included full support for President Prabowo Subianto in continuing the National Strategic Programme (PSN), realisation of tangible nutrition improvement programmes for children and pregnant women in NTB, and the creation of millions of new jobs to boost national economic growth. The crowd also fully supported the President’s policy to ensure clean, transparent, and corruption-free governance of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). “We encourage the realisation of equitable strategic partnerships in the implementation of BGN programmes,” Aweng concluded his speech.