Prabowo Says MBG Will Continue, Promises Improvements

President Prabowo Subianto has committed to continuing Indonesia's flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, vowing to enhance its implementation and reduce costs. In his state address at the People's Consultative Assembly, Prabowo declared his determination to pursue "improvements and efficiency" in the program.

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I am determined to continue the MBG program with improvements and efficiency.

Prabowo underscored the critical role of nutrition as the foundation for Indonesia's broader human development agenda. "We start with the most basic need, which is nutrition. Our children must not study while hungry. No child can learn well when they are hungry," he stated during the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Regional Representatives Council in Jakarta.

The MBG program is designed to tackle malnutrition, which Prabowo indicated remains a significant issue in several regions, affecting approximately 25 percent of Indonesian children. He expressed strong opposition to the high rates of stunting and impaired physical development linked to poor nutrition, stating, "We cannot accept one in four Indonesian children experiencing stunting. We cannot accept that."

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We start with the most basic need, which is nutrition. Our children must not study while hungry. No child can learn well when they are hungry.

While Prabowo focused on continuing and improving the existing program rather than announcing an expansion, he did not provide specific details on the planned changes or how efficiency gains would be measured. The announcement came during the annual parliamentary sessions held ahead of Indonesia's 81st Independence Day.

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We cannot accept one in four Indonesian children experiencing stunting. We cannot accept that.