Criticism is allowed, MBG must still be controlled

JAKARTA - The Free Nutritional Meal or MBG program is back in the spotlight. Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Christian Movement PP LBH, Irjen Pol Purn Herry Dahana, assessed that a big program like this is not enough to be praised or condemned. It must be accompanied.

Herry said Indonesia is heading towards the big target of Indonesia Gold 2045. The road there is not easy. The world economy is not stable. Geopolitical competition is getting sharper. Technology is changing fast. Climate change and food security are also big jobs.

According to Herry, in such a situation, Indonesia needs healthy, intelligent, and competitive human resources. Therefore, programs that touch school children's nutrition need to be seen as a long-term investment.

"No nation becomes advanced just because it is good at criticizing. A developed nation is a nation that is able to control the government, provide objective input, and support every policy that truly benefits the people," said Herry in his statement, Thursday, June 25, 2026.

He assessed that President Prabowo Subianto had a vision to make Indonesia stronger, independent, and prosperous. This vision, said Herry, is seen in a number of strategic programs, ranging from food security, education, industrial downstreaming, economic development, to investment for the younger generation.

MBG is one of the programs that is most talked about. Some support. There are also those who criticize its implementation. For Herry, the debate is normal in democracy. The important thing is, his assessment is not just crowded.

"In a democratic country, differences of opinion are normal. However, it would be good if every policy was judged objectively based on its objectives, implementation, results achieved, and available evidence," he said.

Herry said the school meal program was not a foreign item. Japan, Finland, Brazil, India, and South Korea have run similar programs. The goal is not only to reduce nutritional problems, but also to improve children's health, learning readiness, and quality of education.

The program can also stimulate the local economy if it involves farmers, food suppliers, and business actors in the area. In other words, a plate of food at school does not stop at the dining table. It can touch the rice fields, kitchens, markets, and small businesses.

Herry quoted a report from the World Food Programme which said that around 466 million children in 107 countries received the school feeding program. This program is considered a broad social investment with benefits if managed effectively.

However, Herry reminded that good intentions are not enough. MBG needs professional governance, target accuracy, budget transparency, strong supervision, and regular evaluation.

"The role of the community is not just to support or reject, but to participate in monitoring so that the program really provides benefits for the next generation of the nation," he said.

He also emphasized that supporting the government does not mean turning a blind eye to shortcomings. Criticism is still needed, but it must be based on facts and directed to improve.

"Supporting the government does not mean turning a blind eye to shortcomings. We support that every good program succeeds, while monitoring and providing input so that what is still lacking can be improved," said Herry.

According to Herry, Indonesia needs energy to build, not to bring each other down. He said that Indonesia Gold 2045 is not only the government's dream, but the dream of all people.