Jakarta – The government remains committed to ensuring that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program operates safely and delivers optimal benefits to the community. This program aims to provide nutritious food for school children and other vulnerable groups across Indonesia. In implementing this program, the government involves various stakeholders, including village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), food suppliers, and insurance agencies, to address potential risks such as food poisoning and operational disruptions.
Dody Achmad Sudiyar Dalimunthe, President Director of PT Asuransi Asei Indonesia, emphasized the critical role of insurance in supporting the continuity of the MBG program. “Insurance serves as a safeguard to ensure the continuity, reliability, and protection for all parties involved, from the government to the children receiving the benefits,” Dody explained. The insurance coverage in this program not only protects against food poisoning or health issues caused by consumption but also covers other risks like transportation accidents or food supply damage.
The presence of insurance also helps enhance transparency and accountability within the program. “Insurance can be part of a third-party performance guarantee scheme, such as for catering services or logistics vendors,” Dody added. This ensures that all parties involved in the provision and distribution of food carry out their duties with high standards. Consequently, the MBG program is not only safe but also efficient and accountable.
Furthermore, Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Development (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, highlighted the importance of support from all Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) for the success of MBG. Minister Yandri stated, “We urge everyone to unite in supporting President Prabowo Subianto’s MBG program so that it will succeed, and God willing, this will truly be achieved.” To ensure smooth distribution of nutritious food, the Ministry collaborates with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to authorize BUMDes to participate as suppliers of the program’s raw materials.
The development of Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) at the village level is also a priority to support the smooth implementation of MBG. Minister Yandri stressed that the faster and more ready the SPPG construction is, the more people will benefit. For example, in Banten, the program has already benefited around 550,000 people. “In Banten alone, there are 550,000 people who will directly benefit from this MBG program,” said Minister Yandri.
Moreover, other villages are encouraged to follow the example of Panongan Village in Tangerang Regency, which has built an SPPG and benefited more than 3,000 people. Minister Yandri hopes this initiative can become a model for other villages to accelerate SPPG development in support of the MBG program.
The government, together with related parties, ensures that MBG is not just a food distribution program but also a sustainable effort to maintain public health, strengthen village economies, and build better food security. With the support of insurance and the active role of BUMDes, the MBG program is expected to run smoothly and provide maximum benefits for the people of Indonesia.
