President Prabowo Affirms Child Safety is the Top Priority of the MBG Program
JAKARTA – The Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) Program has once again come under scrutiny after President Prabowo Subianto reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety of Indonesian children. The President has requested that there be no further cases of poisoning among beneficiaries of this strategic program.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan conveyed the President’s directive that the safety of Indonesian children must be placed above all else. “Problematic SPPGs have been temporarily closed for evaluation, and all are required to have a Certificate of Hygiene and Sanitation,” said Zulkifli Hasan.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin added that the Ministry of Health has mobilized nutrition experts to support the improvement process. “We are focused on accelerating improvements so that all SPPG kitchens meet hygiene, quality, and processing standards,” said Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
Hariqo Wibawa Satria, Principal Expert at the Government Communications Agency (Bakom RI), emphasized that the President’s leadership recognizes no holidays when it comes to children’s safety. “There are no holidays for the safety of Indonesian children,” Hariqo concluded.
Hariqo explained that the President has instructed eight strategic steps to strengthen the MBG, starting with a comprehensive evaluation of cooks, sterilizing equipment, and installing CCTV in every MBG kitchen. Furthermore, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) aims for every MBG kitchen to have hygiene and halal certification and ensure the use of safe water within one month.
Support for this program has also come from various parties. Neng Eem Marhamah Zulfa Hiz, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), assessed that the MBG not only strengthens children’s nutrition but also stimulates the local economy. “The SPPG will become the center of local economic activity, opening up business opportunities for farmers, livestock breeders, and MSMEs,” she said.
Anyelir Puspa Kemala, an expert at the BGN, called the MBG a long-term investment. “Our challenges are not only stunting, but also anemia, unequal access to food, and poverty. The MBG is here to address all of these,” Anyelir added.
Similar support came from ICMI Secretary General Andi Yuliani, who emphasized the importance of food safety standards. “Every stage, from raw material selection to distribution, must meet hygiene standards. MBG is not only nutritious, but also safe for the community,” she said.
With collaboration across ministries, institutions, professional organizations, and the community, the MBG Program is believed to further strengthen the foundation of human resource development. More than just a social program, MBG is a symbol of leadership that supports the nation’s future generations.
