April 25, 2025 | 02:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian House Speaker Puan Maharani calls on the government to evaluate and make improvements to the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. She pointed out several issues in the program implementation, such as mass student food poisoning incidents and alleged misappropriation of the funds.
"We understand that this program is still new, opening improvements and evaluation on many aspects of the program going forward," said Puan in a written statement quoted on Friday, April 25, 2025.
In addition, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) encouraged the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to conduct a thorough evaluation of President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program. Puan stated that this evaluation could start from quality standards, food safety, and hygiene.
She said the evaluation is necessary because “ a good program must have a good implementation.”
Furthermore, Puan also expressed her support for President Prabowo Subianto's plan to investigate and probe into the alleged misappropriation of funds by a foundation reported by the kitchen partner in Kalibata, South Jakarta. "We agree that the funds used for the people must be properly distributed," said Puan.
Puan emphasized that the House of Representatives (DPR) will supervise and oversee the implementation of the free nutritious meal program. "So the MBG program could truly prove to have benefits for the people,” she said.
A member of House Commission IX, Nurhadi, echoed Puan’s statement, calling for a comprehensive evaluation of the free meal program. He said the parties connected to the issue will soon be summoned for clarification, including BGN.
"We will push for a comprehensive audit of the MBG providers in various regions, including strengthening food hygiene and sanitation standards. If negligence or procedural violations are found, there must be firm and transparent sanctions," said Nurhadi in a written statement quoted on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
"We in Commission IX remain committed to ensuring that the program continues to run, but it must be carried out safely and responsibly," said Nurhadi.
Another member of the House Commission IX, Netty Prasetiyani, also stated that the quality and safety of food should be the top priority for all parties involved in the free nutritious meal program.
Netty requested the BGN to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program, including improving on-ground supervision mechanisms and introducing safe and nutritious food supply standards. Furthermore, the government also needs to ensure transparency and accountability in fund disbursement.
Dozens of students from PGRI Junior High School Cianjur were previously admitted to Sayang Cianjur Regional General Hospital due to suspected food poisoning after consuming free lunches on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Prior to that, a total of 52 students from State Madrasah Aliyah 1 Cianjur also suffered from food poisoning after consuming the free nutritious meals.
Meanwhile, on April 10, 2025, Ira Mesra, the owner of the kitchen partner for the MBG program in Kalibata, South Jakarta, filed a report with the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police. Through her legal representative, Ira filed the report because she had not received payment from the Nusantara Media Berkat Foundation (MBN), which had been a partner in the free nutritious meal program since it began operating in February 2025. Ira said she suffered losses of up to Rp975 million.
President Prabowo Subianto ensured that law enforcement would handle the alleged misappropriation of the free nutritious meal funds. "It will be taken care of. The government will guard every penny of the people's money," said Prabowo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Eka Yudha Saputra and Vedro Imanuel Girsang contributed to the writing of this article.
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