Jakarta protests over free nutritious meals (MBG) program spark political demands

On June 18‑19, 2026, several demonstrations unfolded in central Jakarta over the government’s Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program. Near the presidential palace, two groups marched on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. The Masyarakat Pejuang Gizi Anak Indonesia bloc praised MBG’s benefits and urged legal action against alleged corruption, while the Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (HMI) rally called for a total program evaluation, lower staple‑food prices and the passage of an asset‑seizure law.

On June 19, HMI activists also staged a protest in front of the DPR/MPR complex, criticizing what they described as wasteful APBN spending on MBG and demanding free, equitable education and better wages for honor‑teacher staff. The demonstrators carried a jelangkung doll as a symbolic critique. Later that day, Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, met with hundreds of students from Universitas Trisakti and Universitas Esa Unggul who had been demonstrating at the parliament. Dasco reported that several student aspirations had already been relayed to the executive, including to the Energy Ministry and the head of BGN, and pledged further dialogue.