President Prabowo orders review of Indonesia's free school meals program

President Prabowo Subianto directed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to assess whether the Rp15,000 per‑recipient budget for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is sufficient. BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari said the president asked for a thorough calculation and, if needed, a revised figure.

The president also instructed local officials – governors, regents, district heads and village chiefs – to tighten supervision of MBG implementation, including checks on kitchen facilities and food quality. A one‑month deadline was set for BGN to improve the program’s governance and to explore alternatives such as involving school canteens alongside the existing SPPP delivery model.

Religious leaders were urged to discuss the program’s legal status, while regional authorities in Tangerang began coordinating camat‑level monitoring. The effort aims to ensure the programme reaches children in need, maintains nutritional standards, and operates transparently across Indonesia.