January 6, 2026 | 05:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Council of High Deliberation of the Prosperous Justice Party (MPP PKS) has requested the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to audit President Prabowo's flagship program, the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG). The program has now been active for exactly one year since its launch on January 6, 2025.
Mulyanto, Chairperson of MPP PKS, noted that the MBG is a flagship program of President Prabowo Subianto's administration. While the goals are good, he insists the project needs a strong supervisory system to ensure good governance.
"For example, the budget allocation is very significant," Mulyanto stated in a written message on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. He argued that the government must look beyond food safety and health. Officials must also watch how the money is spent to keep the project running smoothly.
Mulyanto pointed to several reports from civil society groups. These findings suggest that some project leaders have ties to political figures or party members. "Of course, we cannot allow any grey areas to emerge between public policy and political interests," he added.
Mulyanto did not name specific reports, but media investigations have raised these issues before. In April 2025, Tempo published an article detailing the involvement of political figures in the MBG project. Later, on December 29, 2025, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) released a report titled "Ada Siapa di Balik MBG: Patronase Politik dalam Memperkuat Dukungan" (Who's Behind the MBG: Political Patronage in Strengthening Support).
Mulyanto hopes the government takes these civil society findings seriously. "It should not be underestimated," Mulyanto stated.
He emphasized that the government must be careful when spending state funds. Any national project must remain free from conflicts of interest, whether they are direct or indirect.
To protect the dignity of the country and its democracy, the MBG needs close monitoring, including independent audits and a total ban on practical politics within the program. "We must not let the MBG lose public legitimacy. Its goals are noble," Mulyanto said.
Since starting on January 6, 2025, the MBG project has grown rapidly. It aims to reach 82.9 million people by next March. Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), claimed that thousands of service units (SPPGs) will be active this week. These central kitchens serve students, pregnant women, and the elderly. In 2026, the government has set aside Rp335 trillion for the MBG budget.
Read: Prabowo: Free Meal Program Reaches 55 Million Beneficiaries in First Year
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