TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is preparing an evaluation application to monitor the execution of the free nutritious meal (MBG) project. BGN Head Sudaryono stated that the app will enable schoolteachers to evaluate the menus and services provided daily by the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units.
Sudaryono outlined the initiative during a literacy webinar for school principals participating in the MBG program on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. He noted in a written statement, "We will provide an app for principals, similar to ride-hailing platforms, where they can submit ratings and feedback on the kitchens."
Sudaryono explained that the evaluations will cover food quality, delivery punctuality, and various other operational aspects of MBG services. The politician of the ruling Party Gerindra emphasized that the rating app is essential for addressing field-level challenges faced by the agency executing the free meal program.
Sudaryono urged principals not to hold back on feedback, stating, "We want to receive more input."
However, the plan to launch an MBG rating application drew criticism from leadership within Commission IX of the House of Representatives. Commission IX Deputy Chair Nihayatul Wafiroh acknowledged that the rating system could be a tool to measure the quality of MBG operations on the ground.
However, she warned against letting evaluation reports become nothing more than archived paperwork. "The follow-up mechanism must be thoroughly prepared. The public input should not be ignored," Nihayatul said on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The United Development Party (PPP) politician stressed that the government must establish a protocol to guarantee that all complaints and feedback from schools regarding MBG services are properly logged, verified, and addressed. "We should not wait for these problems to escalate," she added.
Nihayatul noted that since its rollout in early 2025, the MBG program has encountered several operational challenges. The public has raised questions regarding kitchen production standards, delivery punctuality, menu variety, hygiene, and food safety. She emphasized that incoming criticism must drive continuous program evaluation, given MBG's status as a priority initiative under President Prabowo Subianto.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Indonesia researcher Agus Sarwono cautioned that relying on a rating app to evaluate MBG menus and kitchen services risks becoming a mere cosmetic measure. He argued that the proposed rating framework lacks independent, transparent, and legally binding oversight mechanisms.
According to Agus, the challenges facing the MBG project are far beyond food taste or service delivery. Because the program draws a portion of its funding from the national education budget, its execution touches directly on food safety, nutritional standards, supplier compliance, potential conflicts of interest, and public fiscal accountability.
"In a high-budget program involving children's health and safety, what is needed is not a simple star rating button, but an independent complaint mechanism, regular audits, food traceability, and real accountability when violations occur," the MBG Watch member said on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Therefore, Agus argued that implementing a rating app for the MBG project will only bear fruit if BGN, as the executive agency, actively acts upon every lodged complaint. This includes maintaining public transparency over evaluation findings and enforcing strict penalties, up to and including contract termination, for suppliers that consistently receive low scores.
"BGN must not use this rating app as a shield for public participation while keeping decision-making and inspection findings behind closed doors," he added.
Agus further criticized BGN's approach for placing an added administrative burden on schools and teachers through the app's rollout. He contends that shifting the burden of evaluating MBG menus and services onto school staff is a misguided strategy. This is particularly problematic when the requirement lacks protections for teachers.
"There must also be a guarantee that raising concerns will not affect the relationship between schools and program administrators," he added.
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