President Prabowo asks MBG recipients to be screened, prioritizing underdeveloped areas and poor groups

Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto asked the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to prioritize the implementation of Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to the poor, lagging areas, and regions with high stunting rates.

This was conveyed by Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 15. With this direction, it means that beneficiaries who are judged no longer in need can be removed from the list.

Deputy Head of BGN Agustina Arumsari said the President listened to various inputs and asked that every policy option be reviewed before being decided. According to Agustina, President Prabowo asked MBG to remain a priority for the community in the lower desil group.

Desil is a division of the population based on the level of welfare, from the lowest to the highest group. Priorities are also directed to lagging areas and regions with high stunting rates.

President Prabowo also asked BGN to review the value of the food budget of Rp. 15,000 per recipient. President Prabowo wants to ensure that the figure is sufficient to meet the needs of the program. According to Agustina, BGN has not decided on changes to the value of the assistance or the number of recipients.

All data and policy options are still being calculated before being submitted to the President. Agustina also has not mentioned the amount of the budget that may be reduced. He emphasized that the figure is still in the counting stage. Agustina also stated that MBG reform is not easy because it involves millions of beneficiaries.

President Prabowo asked all ministries to help BGN make improvements. In addition, Agustina also conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto opened the opportunity for school canteens to be involved in the implementation of Free Nutritious Meals or MBG.

The government has begun to study new alternatives so that the distribution of food does not only depend on the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit or SPPG. School canteens have not been automatically designated as MBG implementers. BGN must still examine the basis of the policy, the readiness of the manager, and the supervision mechanism before the option is brought back to the President.

President Prabowo, said Agustina, asked that every proposal not be decided in a hurry. The government must first ensure that its data and policy basis are strong.