Indonesia's Free Meal Program to Continue Despite Corruption Allegations

The Indonesian Presidential Staff Office (KSP) has assured that the government's flagship free nutritious meal program (MBG) will not be halted due to internal challenges, including corruption charges against several leaders of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the program's implementing body. KSP Chief Dudung Abdurachman emphasized that the program is crucial for public welfare and must continue while undergoing necessary improvements.

Abdurachman acknowledged the ongoing issues within the BGN but stated that the government is actively evaluating and addressing the weaknesses in the MBG's governance. He reiterated President Prabowo Subianto's firm directive to ensure that the program's provision of nutrition for school children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations remains uninterrupted. "We must not stop just because there are problems, but rather learn from them, improve the system, and ensure the program's benefits continue to reach the community," Abdurachman stated.

The KSP has conducted surprise inspections at various Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) and found that many are already adhering to operational standards. The government's priority is to ensure the MBG effectively reaches the most needy, particularly in remote, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions. Abdurachman positioned the KSP as the front line in overseeing the transformation of BGN's governance, acting as a controller, facilitator, and guardian of the President's priority program.

Abdurachman stressed the importance of maintaining the MBG's integrity, free from deviations. He called for using every correction as an opportunity for self-improvement and system strengthening. This comes amidst protests by student alliances demanding a halt to the MBG program, citing concerns over state budget waste, rising living costs, and fuel prices. The students also called for an end to the Desa Cooperative or Kopdes Merah Putih program.