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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Central Java Deputy Governor: 'Haram' Meal Program Allegations Need Discussion by Islamic Scholars

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen (Gus Yasin) responded to a statement calling the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program 'haram' (forbidden).
  • The statement, made by KH Ahmad Mudhoffar, cited corruption practices in the program's implementation.
  • Gus Yasin suggested the issue, including its religious implications, should be discussed by Islamic organizations like MUI, NU, and Muhammadiyah.

Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, widely known as Gus Yasin, has acknowledged a statement from KH Ahmad Mudhoffar, the leader of Al Husna Internasional Mayong Islamic boarding school in Jepara, who declared the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program 'haram' due to alleged corruption.

If it becomes a problem like this regarding Islamic law, that is not our domain in government. This is the domain of the MUI, Muhammadiyah, NU, for them to discuss it.

— Taj Yasin Maimoen (Gus Yasin)Responding to questions about the religious legality of the MBG program amidst corruption allegations.

Gus Yasin expressed appreciation for Mudhoffar's statement, viewing it as a valuable point for discussion among religious bodies. He deferred judgment on the religious legality of the MBG program, stating that such matters fall under the purview of organizations like the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and Muhammadiyah, rather than the provincial government.

This is the one that I am happy about from Kiai Mudhoffar, that he threw that out (MBG is haram) for future discussion.

— Taj Yasin Maimoen (Gus Yasin)Expressing his positive view on the statement sparking a discussion.

"If it becomes a problem like this regarding Islamic law, that is not our domain in government. This is the domain of the MUI, Muhammadiyah, NU, for them to discuss it," Gus Yasin said during an interview in Semarang on Monday (July 13, 2026). He specifically welcomed Mudhoffar's stance as a catalyst for dialogue.

In the Quran, it is indeed stated that helping to commit corruption, doing things forbidden by Sharia, is indeed forbidden.

— Taj Yasin Maimoen (Gus Yasin)Acknowledging the Islamic prohibition of corruption.

While Gus Yasin agreed with the concern about corruption within the MBG program, he noted that Islamic teachings, as mentioned in the Quran, prohibit corruption and actions forbidden by Sharia law. However, he emphasized that the 'haram' designation for the MBG program itself requires further study. Gus Yasin reiterated that the MBG program's fundamental purpose is to improve public nutrition, particularly for students and pregnant women, and in that context, it is not religiously prohibited.

Nah, in terms of religious context, this is not forbidden.

— Taj Yasin Maimoen (Gus Yasin)Clarifying that the MBG program's objective is not religiously prohibited.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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