Weekly Humanities Roundup: Free Nutritious Meals During Ramadan and New BPJS Directors
Jakarta (ANTARA) – A number of humanities stories from the past week remain noteworthy, ranging from the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme during Ramadan to the inauguration of supervisory boards and directors of BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan for the 2026–2031 term.
The following is a summary of the week's key stories.
**National Nutrition Agency Urges Creative Local Food Preparation for Ramadan MBG**
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has called on Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) to be more creative in preparing local foods rather than relying on factory-made or ultra-processed food (UPF) products when serving Free Nutritious Meals during Ramadan.
"SPPG units can create creative menus based on local wisdom to prevent the serving of UPF in the MBG programme during Ramadan," said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2).
**House Commission VII Calls for TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA Collaboration at 2026 World Cup**
House of Representatives Commission VII has called for collaboration between state broadcaster TVRI, state radio RRI, and the ANTARA News Agency in promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hoping it will become a lasting legacy for all three state media organisations.
"The hosting of the World Cup must become a legacy for TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA," said Deputy Chairwoman of Commission VII Evita Nursanty while leading a meeting during a working visit with the leadership of TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (20/2).
**Government Sets Start of Ramadan 2026 on Thursday 19 February**
The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, determined that the start of fasting or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri/2026 CE falls on Thursday 19 February 2026, following a decision reached through the Isbat Session held at the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/2).
"The Isbat Session has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri/2026 CE falls on Thursday," said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar while leading the press conference on the session's outcome.
**Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Digital Integration of Hajj and Umrah Services**
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is ready to strengthen digital system integration with Saudi Arabia to improve the quality of hajj and umrah services, whilst ensuring the protection of pilgrims whose numbers reach millions each year.
"This system integration is not merely about technological modernisation, but about the safety and comfort of pilgrims. All processes from visas, accommodation, health services, to return journeys must be comprehensively monitored and protected," stressed Minister of Hajj and Umrah Moch. Irfan Yusuf in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/2).
**Coordinating Minister Inaugurates BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Directors**
Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar inaugurated the new Supervisory Board and Board of Directors of the Social Security Agency for Health (BPJS Kesehatan) and the Social Security Agency for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) for the 2026–2031 term.
"As part of the duties of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, my team and I are tasked with ensuring that the state must empower the people so they can live productively and with dignity," said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in Jakarta on Friday (20/2).
The following is a summary of the week's key stories.
**National Nutrition Agency Urges Creative Local Food Preparation for Ramadan MBG**
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has called on Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) to be more creative in preparing local foods rather than relying on factory-made or ultra-processed food (UPF) products when serving Free Nutritious Meals during Ramadan.
"SPPG units can create creative menus based on local wisdom to prevent the serving of UPF in the MBG programme during Ramadan," said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2).
**House Commission VII Calls for TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA Collaboration at 2026 World Cup**
House of Representatives Commission VII has called for collaboration between state broadcaster TVRI, state radio RRI, and the ANTARA News Agency in promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hoping it will become a lasting legacy for all three state media organisations.
"The hosting of the World Cup must become a legacy for TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA," said Deputy Chairwoman of Commission VII Evita Nursanty while leading a meeting during a working visit with the leadership of TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA in Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (20/2).
**Government Sets Start of Ramadan 2026 on Thursday 19 February**
The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, determined that the start of fasting or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri/2026 CE falls on Thursday 19 February 2026, following a decision reached through the Isbat Session held at the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/2).
"The Isbat Session has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri/2026 CE falls on Thursday," said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar while leading the press conference on the session's outcome.
**Indonesia and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Digital Integration of Hajj and Umrah Services**
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is ready to strengthen digital system integration with Saudi Arabia to improve the quality of hajj and umrah services, whilst ensuring the protection of pilgrims whose numbers reach millions each year.
"This system integration is not merely about technological modernisation, but about the safety and comfort of pilgrims. All processes from visas, accommodation, health services, to return journeys must be comprehensively monitored and protected," stressed Minister of Hajj and Umrah Moch. Irfan Yusuf in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/2).
**Coordinating Minister Inaugurates BPJS Kesehatan and BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Directors**
Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar inaugurated the new Supervisory Board and Board of Directors of the Social Security Agency for Health (BPJS Kesehatan) and the Social Security Agency for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) for the 2026–2031 term.
"As part of the duties of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, my team and I are tasked with ensuring that the state must empower the people so they can live productively and with dignity," said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in Jakarta on Friday (20/2).