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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Health & Science

Indonesia Denies Steering Pro-Nutrition Program Rallies Amid Protests

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesia's government denies orchestrating counter-demonstrations supporting its free nutrition program.
  • A government spokesperson stated that all citizens have the right to express opinions, whether in favor or against government policies.
  • The government is reportedly working on improving the governance of the free nutrition program amidst ongoing protests.

Indonesia's government has refuted claims that it orchestrated counter-demonstrations in support of its free nutrition program, amid widespread student protests demanding its cessation. Kurnia Ramadhana, acting deputy for Partnership and Media Relations at the Government Communication Body, asserted that such allegations are untrue.

Regarding the allegations of government orchestration of demonstrations supporting MBG, I think that is untrue.

— Kurnia RamadhanaKurnia Ramadhana, acting deputy for Partnership and Media Relations at the Government Communication Body, denying allegations of government involvement in pro-MBG demonstrations.

Ramadhana emphasized that Indonesian law permits anyone to express their opinions, whether they agree with or criticize government policies. "The government respects both parties," he stated. He also mentioned that the government is actively working to improve the governance of the free nutrition program, with the new head of the National Nutrition Agency overseeing necessary reforms.

The government respects both parties.

— Kurnia RamadhanaKurnia Ramadhana stating the government's position on differing opinions regarding its policies.

Earlier, on June 22, a demonstration supporting the program took place in Jakarta, with participants marching from Gambir to Arjuna Wijaya Monument. They displayed banners backing the initiative and posters opposing its termination. Some participants reportedly received between Rp 50,000 and Rp 100,000 each to attend the rally. When questioned about payments to demonstrators, Ramadhana declined to comment, stating he would only address questions regarding the MBG demonstrations and related government steering allegations.

In essence, what the government is currently doing is trying to improve itself in terms of the free nutrition program, while improvements are being made by the new leadership of the National Nutrition Agency.

— Kurnia RamadhanaKurnia Ramadhana explaining the government's current efforts regarding the free nutrition program.

Ramadhana also avoided commenting on allegations concerning Muhammad Abdimaludin, head of the Student Executive Body of the Faculty of Law at Bung Karno University, who reportedly received Rp 20 million from a police officer to alter the location of a "Tata Ulang Indonesia" demonstration on June 15.

I will answer about the MBG demonstration, yes. The one that is alleged to be steered by the government and so on. I will only answer that.

— Kurnia RamadhanaKurnia Ramadhana limiting his comments to the MBG demonstrations.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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