By Dede Leni Mardianti
Copyright tempo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for People’s Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar emphasized that the government will continue the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. This statement addresses the widespread food poisoning cases and demands from various parties to discontinue the program.Muhaimin, referring to the MBG as a priority program of President Prabowo Subianto, stressed its importance for the equal distribution of nutrition for the nation’s children.”We must not stop halfway. In line with the President’s words, this is a hurdle that we must face in the initial stages of implementing a major program,” he said in a written statement on Sunday, September 28, 2025.However, Cak Imin, as he is often called, stated that the government will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to prevent further poisoning cases, affirming that the government will not overlook the events that have occurred.”The government will seriously follow President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to evaluate and improve the implementation of the MBG program and will continue to listen to and act on all public input,” Muhaimin added.The Scale of the MBG Poisoning Cases and Government ActionThe government’s continued support comes amid alarming data. The Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI) recorded 5,626 food poisoning cases due to MBG in 16 out of 17 provinces from January 17 to September 18, 2025. Similarly, the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) recorded a drastic increase in the number of victims from 1,376 cases at the end of June to 6,452 cases last week.In response to this data, Cak Imin stated that the government will evaluate the entire MBG implementation chain. This includes the supply of raw materials, processing, and ensuring that the distribution carried out by the nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) complies with procedures.Furthermore, every kitchen will now be required to obtain a Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS). “The hygiene and sanitation eligibility certificate, halal certification, and evidence of the use of clean water are not options. They are obligations that must be enforced in all MBG kitchens,” Cak Imin asserted.Despite this mandate, the President’s Staff Office has so far recorded that only 34 of approximately 8,500 MBG kitchens possess a validity certificate.Despite the many shortcomings in the MBG program’s initial rollout, the Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB) expressed optimism that the initiative will boost community empowerment.The government plans to involve farmers, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), as well as local entrepreneurs, to supply MBG needs. Cak Imin therefore, invited the entire community to support the sustainability of the program and participate in its supervision.”MBG is a collaborative movement for the future empowerment of Indonesian children that must be seriously monitored in its implementation,” he concluded.Editor’s Choice: CNN Journalist’s Palace Credentials Revoked After Questioning Prabowo on Free Meal Program IssuesClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
