MBG Will Be Focused on Those in Need, Children from Affluent Families Can No Longer Receive

JAKARTA - The government will rearrange the beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program so that food assistance is actually given to the groups in need.

The Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman said the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) would refocus or adjust the target beneficiaries, including evaluating schools whose students come from affluent families.

Dudung gave an example of the results of monitoring at one school in Jakarta showing that not all the food distributed to students was consumed.

"The one who deserves to receive may only be around 40 percent. So later it will be recalculated so that it is targeted," said Dudung.

According to the former KSAD, the purpose of the evaluation is not to reduce the benefits of the program, but to ensure that state funds are used effectively.

Therefore, children from families who do not need economic assistance are likely no longer to be the priority recipients of MBG.

In addition to beneficiaries, BGN will also evaluate the kitchens that have been operating so that the quality of food, safety, and service capacity are in accordance with the needs in the field.

KSP, said Dudung, will also supervise the implementation of the program because MBG is one of President Prabowo Subianto's priority programs.