Zulhas: Issues in Free Nutritious Meal Programme to be Reported to Prabowo Next Month
Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, known as Zulhas, has stated that his ministry, together with other relevant ministries and agencies, has begun examining the various problems reported in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme, including the misuse of SPPG kitchen locations.
The findings of the review will be submitted to President Prabowo Subianto next month, counted from Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
“Regarding MBG, (we) will resolve the issues that have so far been obstacles or cases of misuse. We are asking for one month — yes, one more month — to resolve and tidy up (the MBG governance, ed.),” said Zulhas at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, quoted on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
At the Presidential Palace, for approximately four hours, President Prabowo chaired a limited cabinet meeting with two main agendas: the MBG programme and the Red and White Village/Urban Ward Cooperatives (KDKMP).
After the meeting, Zulhas said the results of the study and review would serve as the basis for formulating the government’s strategic steps to improve MBG governance.
“The next steps we will report to the President so that the final decision can be made and directions given. But we will study it further and examine it in depth for one month from today,” said Zulhas.
Zulhas explained that the government has already mapped the problems facing the MBG programme’s implementation.
“There are many — issues of misuse, then the locations eligible to receive (MBG), and so many locations have already been designated but still have no SPPG. Some have been built but are not yet operational. There are many, many issues. Within this month we will present them to the President so that the right decision can be taken,” said Zulhas.
The Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) is the unit that manages MBG kitchens and distributes free nutritious meals to beneficiaries, namely schoolchildren, toddlers, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
In the same meeting, President Prabowo also instructed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to review the adequacy and suitability of the MBG budget allocation of Rp15,000 per recipient. The detailed budget per MBG portion is Rp8,000 for each pupil in early childhood education (PAUD) up to Year 3 of primary school, and Rp10,000 for pupils from Year 4 of primary school through to senior secondary school. These amounts cover the cost of raw ingredients only, excluding operational costs of Rp3,000 and a facilities budget of Rp2,000 calculated for each MBG portion.