Wahai Penitentiary in Central Maluku Accelerates Kitchen Construction for Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Ambon (ANTARA) - The Class III Wahai Penitentiary in Central Maluku is accelerating the construction of the Nutritional Service Unit (SPPG) kitchen to support the national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, with the target of commencing operations in mid-2026.

Head of Wahai Penitentiary, Tersih Victor Noya, in Wahai, Central Maluku, on Tuesday, said that the acceleration of the healthy kitchen construction was carried out to meet the standards set in the implementation of the MBG programme, which is one of the 15 Action Programmes of the Directorate General of Immigration and Penitentiary in 2026.

“We are pushing for the acceleration of the kitchen construction in February and March to meet the established standards so that it can be operational by April-May,” he said.

“Involvement in this national programme is part of the concept of penitentiary to nurture and humanise individuals so that they become better. In addition, inmates will also receive incentives,” he said.

Wahai Penitentiary is one of the 27 Technical Implementation Units (UPT) of the Penitentiary that have been selected to develop the MBG kitchen and participate in intensive virtual guidance from the Director General of Penitentiary together with related officials.

Previously, Wahai Penitentiary also conducted a study visit to one of the SPPGs in Ambon as a step in technical and managerial preparation. The management is optimistic that the kitchen construction can be completed on time, so that the MBG programme can immediately run and provide benefits to the wider community in accordance with the motto of the penitentiary.

Meanwhile, in a virtual address, the Director General of Penitentiary, Mashudi, emphasised the importance of structured collaboration between the Penitentiary and its partners, including the penitentiary cooperative, so that the implementation of the programme runs according to standards.

“Structured collaboration between the penitentiary and its partners, including the penitentiary cooperative, is needed so that the implementation of the MBG programme runs according to standards. This programme not only supports the development of inmate independence, but also has a positive impact on the surrounding community. I hope that the UPTs that have been designated will immediately accelerate coordination and kitchen construction no later than next April,” he said.