Zulhas: SPPG Operations Can Be Suspended If Beneficiary Protests Are Ignored

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) stated that beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, particularly schools, can protest to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) if the menus they receive are not up to standard. However, Zulhas requested that such criticism be conveyed directly to the SPPG, rather than being posted on social media.

This was stated by Zulhas after inspecting the implementation of the MBG programme at SMAN 1 Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday (23/4/2026). Zulhas said that if the SPPG, as the processor and supplier of MBG, continues to ignore complaints or protests from beneficiaries, its operational permit could be suspended.

“If the food is not up to standard, it’s Rp10,000 (per portion), for example, if there’s no protein, you can protest; once, twice, three times. If it’s continuously ignored, we’ll check, and it can be suspended,” Zulhas told the media before ending his visit to SMAN 1 Semarang.

Although he allows beneficiaries to lodge protests, Zulhas asked that they be submitted directly to the relevant SPPG. “I urge that if there’s a problem, don’t act it out on social media. Convey it to the SPPG, because we want improvements, right. If you act it out on social media, that’s different,” he said.