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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

National Nutrition Agency Head Defends Free Meal Program Amid Budget Criticism

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) expressed frustration over social media comments claiming the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program is a budget drain.
  • He argued that the program does not halt other development projects and that the government continues to increase fertilizer volumes and provide discounts.
  • The BGN head also refuted claims linking the MBG program to damaged schools, stating such issues predated the program.

The head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, voiced his irritation with social media commentary that he believes unfairly criticizes the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, a key initiative of President Prabowo Subianto. He is particularly irked by claims that the MBG program is consuming the national budget.

I get annoyed seeing comments on social media, as if this MBG is draining the state budget. And as if this is lacking, that is lacking, this is lacking, that is lacking.

— SudaryonoThe head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) expressed frustration over social media claims about the MBG program's budget impact.

"I get annoyed seeing comments on social media, as if this MBG is draining the state budget. And as if this is lacking, that is lacking, this is lacking, that is lacking," Sudaryono stated during a press conference at the BGN building on Friday, July 31, 2026. He emphasized that the MBG program does not impede other development initiatives, asserting that the current administration remains focused on development.

Sudaryono also addressed accusations that the MBG program is causing fertilizer shortages. He countered that the government has actually increased fertilizer volumes and offered discounts while the MBG program is running. He further pointed to the issue of damaged irrigation networks, which he noted existed long before the MBG program was introduced. "Then now there's MBG, it's been taken for MBG, now there's irrigation revitalization of 12 trillion, 14 trillion, 14 trillion to be fixed within these 5 years," he said.

Then now there's MBG, it's been taken for MBG, now there's irrigation revitalization of 12 trillion, 14 trillion, 14 trillion to be fixed within these 5 years.

— SudaryonoSudaryono defended the MBG program by pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects like irrigation revitalization.

Furthermore, the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture highlighted the problem of dilapidated schools, arguing that these issues are not a consequence of the MBG program. "Before MBG, schools were damaged, had holes, all sorts of things. It's not because Prabowo became president, there's MBG, then the schools suddenly became damaged. No. Where were they before?" he questioned. Sudaryono suggested that if this logic were applied, all damaged schools should have been repaired long ago, leaving none in disrepair today.

Before MBG, schools were damaged, had holes, all sorts of things. It's not because Prabowo became president, there's MBG, then the schools suddenly became damaged. No. Where were they before?

— SudaryonoThe BGN head refuted claims that the MBG program is responsible for damaged schools, stating the problem existed previously.
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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