MBG Continues, Prabowo Prepares Kitchen Repairs

BOGOR - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto ensured that the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program would continue. According to him, the MBG, which started in early 2025, has been running quite successfully even though there are still shortcomings.

"Our children have to eat enough, so Free Nutrition Food continues. Thank God today almost reached 30 million beneficiaries," Prabowo said in Cileungsi, Bogor, West Java, Monday, September 29.

The President agrees that there are still shortcomings in the implementation of the MBG program, one of which is related to the food poisoning incident experienced by several students in several areas. Therefore, Prabowo promised the government would fix the cooking process to the distribution of MBG so that it would be received well by the beneficiaries.

"We are working hard now. All kitchens must be equipped with damp washing equipment that is really strong with ultraviolet or gas, or with very hot water. Then also a filter for water must be available, then a test kit before sending food must be available. We will fix this immediately, all kitchens must have trained cooks," he said.

He also expressed his gratitude to those who have worked hard in the implementation of MBG.

"In terms of statistics compared to what we have produced, it turns out that (there are) irregularities, deficiencies. Not intentional deviations, but say the deviation turns out to be 0.000017%," said the President.

Previously, Prabowo also emphasized that child safety is a top priority in the implementation of MBG. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) after a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health, last Sunday.

"Yesterday, the President when he arrived in the country immediately led several ministers at Halim to hold a meeting. One of the things that was discussed was about Free Nutrition Eating. After Halim, last night I continued discussing Free Nutrition. And this afternoon, on instructions from the President, we held a coordination meeting with the ministries and institutions that I conveyed to you," said Zulhas.

According to him, Prabowo's attention to incidents that occurred in a number of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) was very serious. "So, how serious is the President's attention to this issue. I convey, at the direction and direction of the President that for the government, child safety is a top priority. We emphasize that incidents are not just numbers, but are related to the safety of the next generation," said Zulhas.

The steps taken include temporary closure of problematic SPPGs, evaluation of discipline in SPPGs, especially cooks, as well as sterilization of sanitation equipment and repairs, water quality, and waste flow.

"Then ordered by all ministries, institutions, local governments, stakeholders of the MBG program to participate and be active in the repair process. Ministries, regions, related institutions must also be active together. Not waiting, but actively conducting supervision," he said.