National Journalists Forum Urges Expose Of Chaos In MBG Program

JAKARTA – The National Journalists Forum (FWK) has sharply criticized the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, touted as a flagship project by the government. During an Indonesia Review discussion at the VOI Media editorial office in Tanah Abang III, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), FWK Coordinator Raja Parlindungan Pane cited data from the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) that recorded 4,711 cases of MBG food poisoning from January 1 to September 22, 2025, the majority of which were on the island of Java.

"How could a program of this magnitude result in thousands of food poisoning cases? The government must take full responsibility because the victims are students and the lower classes," asserted Raja, a senior journalist who led the forum. FWK considers this figure evidence of weak food quality oversight.

The controversy escalated after Nurhadi, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), revealed allegations of 5,000 fictitious Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) kitchens within the MBG program. He urged the BGN to immediately improve its verification system to prevent data manipulation. "If the food pantry data is fictitious, how can the public trust that food distribution actually reaches the beneficiaries?" Raja quoted Nurhadi as saying.

Ironically, the Head of the National Food Security Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, acknowledged the involvement of legislative members, both the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD), in the ownership of the SPPG pantry. This finding raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and potential abuse of power.

Besides integrity issues, the FWK also highlighted the massive budget. The 2026 MBG program spent IDR 335 trillion, taken from the total 2026 Education Budget of IDR 757.8 trillion. "If more than a third of the education budget is diverted to the chaotic free nutritious meals program, the quality of our education could deteriorate further. This is not a solution, but a ticking time bomb," criticized FWK.

In the discussion, attended by 18 senior journalists from various fields, FWK urged the government to conduct a thorough evaluation and investigative audit of the MBG budget and distribution mechanisms. Without transparency and strict oversight, they warned, this program is vulnerable to turning into a political project that sacrifices the health and future of the younger generation.