Lieutenant General Of The Indonesian National Armed Forces (Ret.) Suharto: Feed Children For Parents, The Government Should Focus On Education

Lieutenant General TNI Marines Suharto/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA The Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) initiated by the government has begun to face various obstacles. A number of MBG kitchens in various regions were reported to have stopped operating due to funding problems.

In addition, many parents complain that the food menu provided is considered less attractive, so children are reluctant to eat it.

Responding to this, Marine Lieutenant General (Ret.) Suharto stated that the MBG program was not on target. He assessed that the government should prioritize improving the education sector.

"If I prefer to finish education first, rather than free meals. Eating for free is the duty of my parents. I also used to eat from the hard work of my parents, there was no need for MBG," Suharto said at a meeting of the Retired Forum for TNI Soldiers in Jakarta, Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Suharto also emphasized that the education and health sector must be the government's top priority in order to get strong support from the community.

"If you want the government to be supported by the people, only two programs are enough: free schools and free health. That's all, that's all. It will be defended by anyone, there is no need for various things," he said.

Previously, one of the MBG's provider partners in Kalibata, South Jakarta, admitted that he had not received full payments and finally decided to stop operating.

Ira Mesra, MBG Kitchen Partner in Kalibata, Pancoran, South Jakarta, reported the foundation with the initials MBN to the South Jakarta Metro Police for alleged embezzlement of funds amounting to Rp975,375,000.

The report is registered with the number: LP/B/1160/IV/2025/SPKT/POLRES METRO JAKSEL/POLDA METRO JAYA, dated Thursday, April 10, 2025.