November 14, 2025 | 09:30 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs is currently discussing a proposal to provide free nutritious meals (MBG) for elderly citizens and people with disabilities.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, widely known as Gus Ipul, said he presented the program to President Prabowo Subianto during a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on November 4, 2025.
Gus Ipul described the initiative as a continuation and transformation of existing programs within the ministry.
He emphasized that the program aims to improve the welfare and nutrition of vulnerable groups in Indonesia. Tempo has summarized the key points about the proposed program to provide free nutritious meals for elderly citizens and people with disabilities.
1. Targeting 100,000 Elderly and 30,000 People with Disabilities
The program is scheduled to begin in 2026, with an initial target of at least 100,000 elderly citizens, particularly those over the age of 75 who may be neglected or living alone.
“Targeting 100 thousand neglected elderly, aged over 75,” Gus Ipul said on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
In addition to the elderly, approximately 30,000 people with disabilities are expected to benefit from the program.
The Ministry of Social Affairs is currently refining data to ensure that the meals are distributed accurately and reach those who need them most. This effort includes cross-referencing records to prevent duplication and ensure fair targeting.
2. Two Meals a Day
The program will provide two nutritious meals per day, in the morning and afternoon, including weekends.
“It will be delivered once a day in the morning,” Gus Ipul said, highlighting the program’s regularity and reliability for beneficiaries.
The ministry aims to maintain a consistent schedule to ensure that the elderly and people with disabilities can rely on the meals daily.
3. Costing Rp 15,000 per Meal
Gus Ipul said the cost of each free nutritious meal for the elderly and people with disabilities is set at Rp15,000.
He clarified that the program’s funding comes entirely from the Ministry of Social Affairs and does not draw on the National Nutrition Agency’s (BGN) budget.
“At Rp 15,000 per meal, providing two meals a day amounts to Rp 30,000 per person,” he added.
Gus Ipul explained that the ministry is still finalizing the specific menu for the meals, ensuring that they meet the nutritional standards required for elderly citizens and people with disabilities.
“The menus will be updated in accordance with the standard for free nutritious meals,” he said, emphasizing that the meals will be balanced and healthy.
4. Managed by Community Groups
The distribution of meals will be handled by local community groups, rather than through the BGN. Community groups located near elderly and disabled citizens will serve between 40 and 70 beneficiaries each.
“Local community groups will provide the service,” Gus Ipul said.
These groups are expected to reach beneficiaries quickly and efficiently, ensuring that meals are delivered on time and that no one in need is overlooked. The ministry believes that involving community groups will foster local ownership and accountability in the program.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: Social Affairs Minister: 100,000 Seniors to Receive Free Nutritious Meals Next Year
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Social Affairs Minister: 100,000 Seniors to Receive Free Nutritious Meals Next Year
13 jam lalu
Unlike the free nutritious meals managed by the National Nutrition Body, the ministry's initiative will be overseen by community groups.
BGN: Nutritionist Shortage Emerges Amid Indonesia's Free Meal Program Rollout
21 jam lalu
BGN reported an increasing shortage of qualified nutritionists in Indonesia since the launch of the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.
Indonesia's BGN Reports 11,640 Cases of Food Poisoning Linked to Free Nutritious Meals
1 hari lalu
BGN recorded a total of 211 cases of food poisoning related to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, reaching 11,640 victims.
Health Minister: General Practitioners Can Become Specialists
1 hari lalu
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin explains causes behind increasing food poisoning cases in the free food program & his policy on doctor recruitment
Danantara Plans Rp371tn Investment in Agriculture to Support Free Meal Program
2 hari lalu
Beyond the MBG support allocation, Amran also stated that Danantara has agreed to a total investment of Rp371 trillion.
BGN Threatens to Shut Down Free Meal Kitchens Lacking Hygiene and Sanitation Certificates
2 hari lalu
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) urges kitchen heads and their managing partners or foundations to take a stand on the importance of certificates.
Australia Supports Indonesia's Free Meal Program Through UNICEF
2 hari lalu
The CoEs will assist the implementation of MBG through research, training, and innovation to enhance the program's effectiveness.
Survey: 34.1% of Indonesians Want the Free Nutritious Meal Program to Be Stopped
4 hari lalu
Three reasons people demand discontinuation of the free nutritious meal program (MBG) are the high number of poisoning cases, the possibility of reallocating the budget to other programs, and the option to receive cash instead.
Survey Shows Decline in Public Satisfaction with Prabowo Compared to 100-Day Mark
4 hari lalu
The public is satisfied with Prabowo's performance in the Indicator survey because he is seen as successful in eradicating corruption.
Indonesia Prepares Special MBG Menu for Pregnant Women, Toddlers
5 hari lalu
The government is preparing a special Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers.
