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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesian nutrition project partners complain to parliament of unfair blame

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesian associations involved in a government nutrition project have complained to parliament about unfair treatment.
  • They claim they are blamed for problems despite providing all facilities for the free nutritious meal project.
  • The associations are calling for fair partnership processes and an evaluation of the project's management.

Associations representing partners in Indonesia's "free nutritious meal" project have voiced their frustrations to lawmakers, arguing they are unfairly burdened with problems. Syawaludin Aweng, chairman of the National Nutrition Body Partners Association, stated that partners provide all necessary facilities for the project but are often held responsible when issues arise. "BGN only has the program, we provide all the facilities. But when there's a problem, we are blamed," Aweng said during a hearing with Commission IX of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

BGN only has the program, we provide all the facilities. But when there's a problem, we are blamed.

— Syawaludin AwengChairman of the National Nutrition Body Partners Association, explaining the unfair blame placed on partners in the free nutritious meal project.

He further explained that if a problem originates with the kitchen manager, partners who merely provide the facilities are still affected. Aweng also addressed President Prabowo Subianto's alleged remarks calling BGN partners "thieves," believing the president may have received misinformation. "We are here to ask for justice. Please, let the partnership process be equal," he urged.

We are here to ask for justice. Please, let the partnership process be equal.

— Syawaludin AwengChairman of the National Nutrition Body Partners Association, appealing for fairness in the project's partnership structure.

Charles Honoris, Deputy Speaker of Commission IX, expressed sympathy for the partners and investors. He stressed that partners should not be solely blamed for issues, attributing problems in the MBG project to poor management. "I am committed that you will not be harmed, the state must find a solution," Honoris stated.

I am committed that you will not be harmed, the state must find a solution.

— Charles HonorisDeputy Speaker of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, assuring partners that they will not be harmed and the state will seek solutions.

Commission IX is pushing for a comprehensive review of the project's management to ensure it meets its goal of improving children's nutrition. "The people should not be harmed, but this program also cannot be forced to run with a design like this," Honoris concluded.

The people should not be harmed, but this program also cannot be forced to run with a design like this.

— Charles HonorisDeputy Speaker of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, commenting on the need for project evaluation and appropriate design.
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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