November 20, 2025 | 03:23 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Nanik Sudaryati Deyang has urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs to coordinate with Islamic boarding schools nationwide to quickly become recipients of the Ministry's free nutritious meal program (MBG). According to Nanik, the percentage of boarding schools and students currently receiving MBG is still very small.
"Out of around 11 million santri (Islamic students) and 1 million Islamic boarding school educators, only 2 percent have become recipients of nutritious meals," Nanik said during a visit from Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi'i, at the BGN Office, Kebon Sirih Street, Jakarta, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
In addition to the very small number of santri receiving MBG, during a discussion with the House of Commission IX (DPR) last week, BGN received feedback indicating that many Islamic boarding schools still have not managed their MBG kitchens. "Many Islamic boarding schools with over 4,000 santri apparently do not have SPPG (Nutritional Serving Units)," Nanik said.
Nanik stated that Islamic boarding schools must quickly become recipients of MBG. She emphasized that when designing the MBG program, President Prabowo Subianto had specifically targeted Islamic boarding schools as one of the main objectives of the MBG program. "Pak Prabowo is very concerned about Islamic boarding schools, so we must ensure that Islamic boarding schools do not miss out on the benefits of the MBG program," she said.
As a result, Nanik urged the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs to quickly register and coordinate with Islamic boarding schools, particularly those in remote areas. For Islamic boarding schools in remote areas, the government has instructed Himbara banks (state-owned banks) to assist in building MBG kitchens. "Even for remote areas, 100-200 recipients will be served," said the Deputy Head of BGN in the field of Investigation and Public Communication.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo Muhammad Syafi'i welcomed the Deputy Head of BGN's call. He promised to gather Islamic boarding schools from each area so that they can quickly become recipients and have kitchens if they are capable. "I will promptly follow up on Ms. Deputy's recommendation. I will invite Islamic boarding schools to receive guidance from BGN, so that they can quickly become recipients of MBG," he said.
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