Jakarta – The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program continues to receive widespread public support as it is seen as providing real benefits to Indonesian children.
Various positive responses that have developed in the public sphere indicate that the public sees MBG as a strategic step by the government in improving the quality of human resources from school age.
The General Chair of the Indonesian Independent Farmers National Leadership Council, Don Muzakir, said that farmers felt the benefits of the MBG program because more of their harvest was absorbed.
“How is the harvest being absorbed by the MBG? And traders are also experiencing price stability in the market today,” Don said.
According to him, farmers now not only receive assistance with seeds and agricultural equipment, but their harvests are also purchased and used to support the MBG program.
“This is what makes us farmers in this area feel very satisfied and proud,” he said.
According to Don, many villagers who work as farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders are satisfied with the current government policies. He also emphasized that their demonstration was not intended to rival the student demonstration that took place on the same day.
“We don’t want to be rivals, we are not a rival action,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Andre Rosiade, said that his party supports the continuation of the MBG program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto.
Andre directly solicited the opinions of parents and students at Pekanbaru Elementary School 168. The majority of attendees stated that the MBG program should continue.
“I came to hear the community’s voice directly. Is it true that the community wants this program discontinued? What I’ve heard from parents and students is that they want MBG to continue because its benefits are real,” said Andre.
“The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. MBG is part of the government’s efforts to create a healthy, intelligent, and stunting-free generation,” he added.
Many people hope that the MBG program can continue to run sustainably because it is considered not only to help children learn without hunger, but also to be an important foundation in realizing a healthy, intelligent generation of Indonesians who are ready to welcome the Golden Indonesia 2045.