By: Ravindra Kusumajaya

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) continues to attract public attention as one of the government’s strategic steps in developing the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. This program is seen not only as food assistance for the community, but also as a long-term investment in creating a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation. The government, through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), continues to strengthen public communication to ensure the public understands the program’s overarching objectives and supports its implementation in various regions.

Khairul Hidayati, Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the National Nutrition Agency, emphasized that the success of the MBG Program depends heavily on public trust and participation. According to her, this program is a collective effort to build a healthier generation in Indonesia. Therefore, the government is striving to build public understanding of the benefits, objectives, and implementation mechanisms of the MBG so that people see it beyond mere social assistance.

In implementing its communication strategy, the National Nuclear Agency (BGN) employs two main approaches. The first is through direct interaction involving community leaders, teachers, health workers, and community cadres. This face-to-face approach is considered more effective because people tend to trust figures who are closely connected to their daily lives. Through this approach, the government hopes that the message about the importance of ensuring children’s nutritional needs will be better received.

The second approach is through digital media. BGN actively utilizes platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to disseminate information about the MBG implementation, nutrition education, and public discussions through podcasts. This step is considered crucial given the shift in public information consumption patterns towards the digital space. The government wants to ensure the public receives accurate and reliable information about the MBG program so they are not easily influenced by misleading information.

This communication strategy was deemed successful in increasing public information transparency throughout the first quarter of 2026. The government actively published articles, distributed press releases, held workshops, collaborated with the mass media, and responded to negative issues emerging in the community. Transparency is a crucial step in maintaining program accountability and increasing public trust in the government.

Khairul Hidayati believes the primary goal of the government’s public communication efforts is not simply to disseminate administrative information about the MBG program. The government wants the public to understand that this program is a collaborative effort to create a healthy generation in Indonesia. With this understanding, the public is expected to support and oversee the program’s implementation so that its benefits can be felt widely.

Amid various criticisms of the MBG implementation, several academics and public policy observers continue to believe the program has significant potential if managed properly. Prof. Dr. Cecep Darmawan, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Observer at the Indonesian University of Education, stated that the MBG could be a crucial foundation for building a superior generation in Indonesia in the future.

Prof. Dr. Cecep Darmawan believes that ensuring good nutrition will significantly impact the quality of human resources when combined with a strong education system. He believes that physically healthy children will develop intellectually more easily and have better learning abilities. He believes the program can produce a healthy and intelligent generation of Indonesians in the next 10 to 20 years if it is managed transparently and effectively.

Prof. Dr. Cecep Darmawan also encouraged the government to expand publicity regarding good practices in implementing the MBG program in various regions. Schools and kitchens of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) that successfully implement the program optimally are considered examples for other regions. This way, the public can also see the positive side of MBG implementation amidst widespread criticism on social media.

Given the limited budget, he suggested the government prioritize vulnerable groups as primary beneficiaries. Children from low-income families, street children, and other vulnerable groups are considered essential focus areas in the initial stages of program implementation. Once the state’s financial situation improves, the program’s scope can be gradually expanded to ensure the budget remains effective.

Rahmawati Herdian, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), also supported the MBG. She urged the public to support and oversee the program’s implementation to ensure it is truly targeted and able to improve the quality of Indonesia’s young generation. She believes the MBG is a crucial step by the government in ensuring children receive good nutrition and helping reduce the national stunting rate.

Rahmawati Herdian emphasized that the MBG program is not just a free food distribution program, but a long-term investment in creating a healthy, strong, and high-quality generation. By providing good nutrition from an early age, Indonesian children are expected to grow optimally and be highly competitive in the future.

The MBG program ultimately symbolizes the government’s commitment to building the nation’s future through investment in human resources. Community support, public oversight, and continuous improvement in governance are crucial for the program’s optimal success. With synergy between the government and the community, the MBG is expected to produce a healthy, intelligent generation of Indonesians ready to lead the nation toward a brighter future.