Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program, a national priority program aimed at improving the quality of Indonesian human resources from an early age. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of strict oversight of the entire program implementation process to ensure that every child receives adequate and quality nutrition.
President Prabowo believes that the MBG program is not simply food aid, but rather a long-term investment to create a healthy, intelligent, and competitive generation of Indonesians in the future. Therefore, all parties involved in the program’s implementation are required to carry out their duties professionally and responsibly.
“This program is an investment in the future of the nation. Every Indonesian child must have access to nutritious, healthy, and safe food,” Prabowo Subianto emphasized.
According to the President, food quality, food safety, the cleanliness of the distribution process, and the accuracy of recipient targets must be the primary focus. Supervision is carried out in layers, from raw material procurement and food processing to distribution to students in various regions.
This step to strengthen oversight has received support from various groups. Lesda Lybaws, a nutritionist from the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and a member of the Central Executive Board of the IPB Alumni Association of the Department of Nutrition, believes the government’s efforts to tighten supervision demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the program’s optimal benefits are enjoyed by the community. The program, which targets millions of school children, requires a robust control system to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
“The MBG program requires strict and ongoing supervision because it concerns the fulfillment of the nutritional rights of millions of Indonesian children. The government’s steps to strengthen supervision demonstrate its commitment to maintaining the program’s quality so that its benefits truly benefit the community,” said Lesda Lybaws.
In addition to improving children’s nutritional quality, the MBG program is also believed to have a positive impact on the regional economy. The significant demand for food opens up opportunities for farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and micro and small businesses to participate in the program’s supply chain.
Furthermore, strict supervision is considered to minimize the potential for irregularities and ensure the use of state funds is transparent and accountable. With ongoing evaluation mechanisms, various obstacles in the field can be promptly identified and corrected.
Through this strengthened oversight commitment, the government hopes that the Free Nutritious Meal Program will run according to its objectives and provide tangible benefits to the community. This step also demonstrates President Prabowo’s seriousness in protecting the nutritional rights of Indonesian children as part of efforts to realize a healthy, productive, and highly competitive Golden Generation of 2045.