Budiman Sudjatmiko: Free School Meal program must continue, it's a campaign promise

Budiman Sudjatmiko, head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Task Force (BP Taskin), has asserted that the Free School Meal (MBG) program must proceed without interruption, even amidst corruption allegations involving former high-ranking officials at the National Nutrition Agency.

Sudjatmiko stated that discontinuing the program would constitute a breach of President Joko Widodo's campaign promises and violate existing laws. "It's a campaign promise. If it stops, the President breaks his promise, breaks the law," he said Friday in Semarang. He made these remarks after participating in a dialogue at Diponegoro University.

While acknowledging that the program's implementation warrants strong criticism, Sudjatmiko suggested that critiques should focus on enhancing management at the regional level. He believes that continuing the program is essential for fulfilling campaign pledges aimed at improving the nutritional status of school children.

“

It's a campaign promise. If it stops, the President breaks his promise, breaks the law.