Prabowo's Reaction After Directly Reviewing the Implementation of Free Nutritious Meals Program

February 4, 2025 | 02:09 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto coordinated with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and directly reviewed the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in two schools in East Jakarta on Monday, February 3, 2025. The President reviewed the MBG program at SDN Jati 05 Pagi, Pulogadung, East Jakarta at around 09:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). He also reviewed the MBG at TK Negeri 02 in the area. The visit was made to ensure that the MBG program was running well.

Prabowo is committed to continuing to improve the MBG program so that it can reach all children in Indonesia. "I have seen it in East Jakarta, I have seen two schools and I have seen the kitchen. Yes, I would like to thank BGN for its success," said the President as quoted by Antara.

The President admitted that there were still several technical obstacles in the MBG program, especially in the procurement auction process which had not been fully completed. However, he said that MBG had only been running for one month and was a large-scale project that required hard work from all parties. "This problem can be said to be quite big. Colossal maybe. We will feed 82 million children in this one year, I think it is a breakthrough," he said.

Prabowo also understands that there are still many parents, schools, and children who have not felt the benefits of MBG. However, the government is committed to working hard so that MBG can reach all regions of Indonesia.

On that occasion, Prabowo held a virtual discussion with parties related to MBG and appreciated the high participation of participants, where around 4,000 participants attended via Zoom.

Head of BGN Reveals Results of Prabowo's MBG Inspection

Meanwhile, Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana revealed the results of the surprise inspection (sidak) of the MBG program carried out by Prabowo Subianto to elementary schools and kindergartens in East Jakarta. "The President really appreciates it, and we did not prepare anything special because it was really a surprise inspection," said Dadan when met at the parliament complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, after a working meeting with Commission IX of the DPR, Monday night.

He said that Prabowo initially asked where the addresses of elementary schools that had implemented MBG were. Then, the President asked for data on who was responsible for the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) for MBG in the Jakarta area.

Dadan claimed that the inspection carried out by Prabowo was without assistance at Prabowo's own request. Dadan considered Prabowo's arrival during the inspection very natural. "He wanted to see if what was reported was the same as the reality that he saw," said Dadan explaining the reason for the inspection.

He continued Prabowo's message regarding improvements to a number of deficiencies. "I think this is a new program, right? So everyone has to improve their quality," said Dadan.

BGN Claims There Are Already 730,000 MBG Beneficiaries

On that occasion, Dadan also revealed the latest number of MBG beneficiaries. According to him, the number of recipients increased along with the increase in SPPG as a kitchen to prepare the MBG menu. "Today (Monday, February 3) it has covered 245 nutrition fulfillment service units, covering 730,000 beneficiaries in 34 provinces," he said.

Dadan targets 1.5 million people to enjoy MBG by mid-February. This follows the plan to add around 238 SPPGs in the same month. He said BGN will target areas that have not been touched by MBG, such as Papua and Central Papua.

He said that of the target of MBG beneficiaries of 82.9 million people by 2025, 0.8 percent has been achieved. "If in mid-February it is 1.5 percent, that means it is less than 98.5 percent. There are still many opportunities. So people don't need to worry about missing out on this program because our program is only 0.8 percent," he said.

Dadan claimed that the government is trying to maximize the MBG program to reach more target targets. One of the government's efforts is to develop networks with various agencies, including the Police, TNI, State Intelligence Agency, and religious organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.

He also said that the cooperation between the government and various parties aims to accelerate the Free Nutritious Meals program achievement process. Currently, he said, his institution will ensure the absorption of the State Budget (APBN) funds of Rp71 trillion for MBG this year. However, he was reluctant to explain about the additional funds of Rp100 trillion that he had previously proposed.

Dian Rahma Fika and Antara contributed to the writing of this article.

Editor's Choice: Prabowo Makes Surprise Inspection on Free Meals Program in East Jakarta

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Prabowo Orders 3-Kg LPGs to be Sold by Retailers Again Today

1 jam lalu

Prabowo's Free Nutritious Meals Not Yet Implemented in Papua, Here's Why

1 jam lalu

There Is No Standard in Free Nutritious Meal's Menu, BGN Says

2 jam lalu

Govt Will Not Cut This Year's IKN Development Budget, OIKN Head Says

5 jam lalu

Prabowo: Harvested Dry Grain Price Should Be Rp6,500 per Kilogram

7 jam lalu

FITRA Criticizes Prabowo's Use of Personal Funds for Free Nutritious Meals

20 jam lalu

Prabowo Makes Surprise Inspection on Free Meals Program in East Jakarta

22 jam lalu

Prabowo's Transmigration Program is Different Than in the New Order Era, Minister Says

1 hari lalu

The Challenges That MSMEs Face to Become the Backbone of Free Nutritious Meals Program

1 hari lalu

Today's Top 3 News: Rupiah Display on Google Increased to Rp8,000 per US Dollar, Here is Bank Indonesia's Response

1 hari lalu