Won't Force Rich People's Children to Eat MBG, Prabowo: Those Who Don't Need It Are Fine

GORONTALO - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto stated that he would not force the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme upon children of wealthy individuals. It began when Prabowo asked fishermen in Gorontalo whether their children had received MBG at school or not. “How about in Gorontalo? Is MBG already available in the schools?” Prabowo said during his inspection of the Merah Putih Leato Selatan Fishing Village, Gorontalo, on Saturday (9/5/2026). Prabowo promised to note down which schools have not yet received MBG. Because, Prabowo emphasised, all schools that feel the need will be provided with MBG. “We will ensure that this year, all schools that feel the need will be given MBG entirely,” he explained. He mentioned that children of wealthy people certainly do not need MBG. “Those who don’t need it are fine, right? If children of rich people don’t need it, that’s okay, no forcing,” Prabowo said.