Nutrition Agency Will Decide The Fate Of Pramono's Free Breakfast Program Tomorrow

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. (Diah-VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung admitted that he would meet with the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Tomorrow, according to Pramono, BGN will decide whether the DKI Provincial Government can run a free breakfast program which is Pramono's idea since the 2024 Pilkada campaign period or not.

"Tomorrow we will meet with the nutrition body, but we have communicated. So in principle, the Jakarta government is ready whether it will be allowed to have a free breakfast or in other ways, of course tomorrow we will discuss it with the National Nutrition Agency," said Pramono at the Abdul Muis Technical Service, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, March 11.

Pramono emphasized that the DKI Provincial Government will follow whatever the BGN decision, including if the free breakfast cannot be done because the central government has implemented free nutritious food (MBG).

"Later, whatever is the decision of the National Nutrition Agency, of course, we will follow up," said Pramono.

Meanwhile, if BGN allows free breakfast in Jakarta, the DKI Provincial Government will immediately map out schools that will start the program.

"We will prepare, we will finalize the amount later after there is a directive from the National Nutrition Agency," said Pramono.

This free breakfast program was previously discussed and prepared by the DKI Provincial Government together with the Pramono-Rano transition team before the inauguration of the regional head.

Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Education Office, Sarjoko, this free breakfast program will be prioritized for schools in slum areas. The DKI Provincial Government will make school canteen traders the food provider.

"Later we will try it partially first, we will pilot locations, maybe priority locations in slum RW areas, adjust our capabilities," said Sarjoko at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Thursday, January 16.

Sarjoko said this program was not directly implemented simultaneously in Jakarta schools this year.

Given that Pramono-Rano's free breakfast program has not been budgeted in the 2025 APBD, the DKI Provincial Government still needs to map out the budget allocation needed to run it.

"Our target (free absorption) will be carried out this year. Of course, it is like MBG, because it also requires readiness of many things related to funds as well," said Sarjoko.

"Once again, this is our piloting starting from a more particular scope first, while we evaluate it, while we develop it," he added.