BBM, MBG, and Student Voice
Students took to the streets carrying many demands. However, of the many issues they raised, the two things that caught the most attention were the increase in the price of non-subsidized fuel and the future of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
These two issues are not small. Both touch the lives of many people. Fuel touches daily expenses. MBG touches the future of Indonesian children.
Therefore, the voice of students should not be considered as mere street noise. Behind the posters, speeches, and lines of demonstrators, there is a message that must be heard. Every policy must be explained, monitored, and carried out properly.
Regarding MBG, the government has a strong reason. This program is designed to improve the nutrition of Indonesian children. On the official BGN website, it is stated that about 60 percent of children from poor and vulnerable families do not have good access to balanced nutritious food. Many of them also rarely drink milk because families can't afford it.
"This is not a small number. Those who are in the womb, TK, SD, SMP, SMA, pesantren, and other religious schools today, will later become Indonesia's productive workforce in 2045. This means that MBG is not just a lunch program. It concerns the quality of the Indonesian people.
But precisely because of this, this program should not be managed casually. In 2026, the National Nutrition Agency's budget is said to reach Rp. 268 trillion. Such a figure must be followed by strong governance, strict supervision, and clear transparency.
The problem is, public confidence has already been disturbed. The Attorney General's Office has named several suspects in the case of alleged MBG governance corruption. Among them are former Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana, former Deputy Head of BGN Sony Sonjaya, and former Deputy Head of BGN Lodewyk Pusung. The case makes people more entitled to ask. Where does the state's money flow. Who is supervising. Who is playing behind the program for children who are unable.
If there is a problem with the MBG kitchen, fix it. If there are irregularities, investigate. If there is food that is not worthy, stop at that point. If there are strange procurements, open it. Large programs cannot run just with the spirit of being quick.
But stopping the entire program is not a simple answer. Like eradicating rats, don't let the barn be burned. Many children still need nutritious food. The problem is not with the purpose of the program, but with the way it is run.
On the other hand, the increase in the price of non-subsidized fuel cannot be taken lightly. The government can explain that what is rising is non-subsidized fuel, while subsidized fuel such as Pertalite is still maintained. Logically, subsidies are still directed to the community that needs it more.
But the people do not live in the APBN table. They live in the market, in the warung, on the street, and in the kitchen. When fuel prices rise, what they feel is not just the world oil price or the dollar exchange rate. What they feel is that transportation costs increase, business costs increase, and concerns about commodity prices move. The fuel problem is always the same. Decisions are made above, the burden is down to the bottom.
Moreover, according to BPS data, annual inflation in May 2026 was recorded at 3.08 percent. This figure may still be explained technically. But for the little people, inflation is not a statistical figure. Inflation is the price of chili, rice, eggs, shipping costs, and shopping money that is running out faster.
This is where public communication becomes very important. Because the public does not always reject government decisions. Often they just want to know the reasons behind it. If from the beginning there is an honest and easy to understand explanation, the public and students may still be critical. But the debate takes place on the same information.
People need to be told from the beginning. Why the price of non-subsidized fuel increased. Why Pertalite is still maintained. Who is affected. Who is still protected. What are the government's steps so that the price of basic necessities does not increase.
The explanation also needs to be prepared well. When a decision is announced, there must be a main message that all officials understand. The minister can speak from an economic point of view. The head of the agency can explain from a technical perspective. Members of the DPR can convey from a supervisory perspective. But the common thread must remain the same. That way, the public does not receive different statements on the same decision.
The government also needs to be honest that the burden of energy subsidies is not light. In the 2026 State Budget, energy subsidies and compensation are said to reach IDR 381.3 trillion. There is even an additional risk of IDR 50 trillion to IDR 75 trillion if the world oil price is higher than the State Budget assumption.
The numbers are important. But numbers alone are not enough. What the people need is a simple, honest, and reasonable explanation. Students may disagree. They may be suspicious. They can pressure the government. That's part of democracy. What shouldn't be is to consider criticism as an interruption. Student criticism can actually be a siren from below. From there, the government can see which parts of its policies are weak, misunderstood, or not trusted by the public.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has met with students and promised to pass on their aspirations to the government. This step should be appreciated. But the problem is not solved with just a short meeting.
Aspirations must be followed by action. MBG must be cleaned of budget games. The increase in fuel must be explained clearly. The protection of small people must really be felt, not just written in speeches.
The country will not collapse because of criticism. In fact, the country can get lost if it does not want to listen. We love this country. That's why criticism is delivered. Not to bring down anyone, but so that every policy remains based on the reality of people's lives.