In line with the Youth Pledge, MBG has become a national movement for a generation of Indonesians free from malnutrition
Hariqo Wibawa Satria, a senior expert at the Government Communications Agency (Bakom RI), emphasized that the Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) must run flawlessly, as it concerns the future of Indonesia’s younger generation. He stated that the program must provide “a multitude of benefits” for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, toddlers, preschool children, students, Islamic boarding school students, and community-based economic actors such as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, livestock breeders, traders, fishermen, and plantation owners. This is believed to align with the spirit of the Youth Pledge, which promotes the role of young people as the foundation of a Golden Indonesia.
Hariqo’s statement echoes the views of Putih Sari, a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), who believes that the MBG program is not merely a food distribution program but a national movement to prepare a generation free from malnutrition. She emphasized that investing in nutrition from an early age is key to realizing Indonesia’s golden generation by 2045.
“The MBG program is a long-term investment in developing a strong and healthy young generation. Through proper nutrition from an early age, we can reduce stunting rates in Indonesia,” said Putih Sari.
According to him, the success of the MBG program requires the involvement of all parties, not just the government. The role of families and communities is the primary determinant of ensuring children receive adequate nutrition for growth and development.
“Nutrition awareness must be built collaboratively by the government, families, and communities. All parties have a responsibility to ensure children receive adequate nutrition so they can grow into a healthy and productive generation,” he added.
This commitment is reinforced by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which continues to expand the implementation of the MBG program to remote areas across the country. Colonel Cba Rustandi Wiramanggala of the BGN Deputy for Promotion and Cooperation Secretariat explained that implementing the Nutrition Understanding concept is a crucial strategy to ensure the public understands a balanced daily diet.
“When the public understands how to manage healthy and proper nutrition, together we can build Indonesia’s golden generation. Protein, both animal and plant-based, is a crucial component that cannot be ignored in children’s growth and development,” he said.
At the local level, enthusiastic support was also evident from the village government. The head of Dawuan Tengah Village, Jejen Jaenal Arifin, welcomed the MBG as a concrete step by the government to strengthen the community’s nutritional security. He encouraged his residents to make the most of the program.
“The MBG program is a concrete step by the government that we must all support. The public needs to be more aware of the importance of children’s nutritional intake so they grow into a strong and intelligent generation,” he said.
This national program is also strengthened by the support of social and religious organizations.
This wave of cross-sector support fosters optimism that the Nutritious Meal Program will grow as a national moral and social movement, ensuring every Indonesian child grows up healthy, intelligent, and ready to lead the future. The national spirit of the Youth Pledge serves as a reminder that Indonesia’s future rests on the shoulders of the younger generation, who are being shaped today through efforts to eradicate malnutrition from the country.
With continuously strengthened synergy, MBG is expected to progress flawlessly, as Hariqo envisioned, providing new economic opportunities for the community, while also affirming the ideals of a Golden Indonesia 2045 that can be achieved at the nation’s dinner table.***
