Government Firmly Ensures Sustainability of MBG Program in Papua
Jakarta – The government has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) in Papua as part of efforts to improve children’s nutrition and support education in the region. Various threats to the implementation of this program will not be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable regulations.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, emphasized that any form of threat to the implementation of MBG in Papua is an act that cannot be tolerated. According to him, efforts to thwart this program are tantamount to disobedience to the Republic of Indonesia. “The government will take firm action if there are parties who threaten the sustainability of this program. MBG is an initiative of President Prabowo Subianto which aims to improve children’s nutrition throughout Indonesia, including Papua,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that his party remains focused on the preparation and implementation of the MBG Program without being influenced by external factors. He emphasized that any form of threat outside the scope of this program will be the authority of the TNI and Polri to follow up. “We ensure that MBG runs according to plan, without interference. This program is a concrete effort by the government to improve the quality of nutrition of Indonesian children,” he said.
Full support for the implementation of this program was also conveyed by the Head of the Presidential Communications Office, Hasan Nasbi. He emphasized that the Free Papua Movement (OPM) or any party that tries to disrupt the implementation of this program will face the security forces directly. “The MBG program is a national program that is implemented evenly throughout Indonesia, including Papua. Threats to the implementation of MBG will not be ignored and will be prosecuted according to applicable law,” he said.
Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, added that the implementation of MBG in Papua will not be affected by the developing political dynamics. He emphasized that this program is purely a humanitarian task to improve the nutrition of Indonesian children without intervention from other interests. “The government remains focused on the main objective of MBG, which is to improve the nutrition of children throughout Indonesia, without exception,” he said.
As part of the long-term development strategy, the government also continues to be committed to improving the quality of education in Papua. Increasing access to education and improving nutrition through MBG are top priorities in supporting the growth and welfare of the younger generation in the region.
