The Presidential Decree on Governance Ensures the Government’s Commitment to the MBG Program
Jakarta – The government has confirmed its commitment to improving the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program through the issuance of a Presidential Regulation (Perpres). This step demonstrates President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability, quality, and safety of this strategic program, which targets millions of Indonesian children. The Perpres is currently being finalized and is targeted for completion soon, serving as the legal framework for the implementation of MBG in all regions.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, explained that the draft Presidential Regulation is currently in its final stages and is expected to be completed soon. He stated that this regulation is crucial to ensuring that the program’s implementation meets standards.
“It’s not just about security, sanitation, hygiene, and victim management, but also the growing need for a robust supply chain,” Dadan said.
He added that after the Presidential Decree is officially issued, coordination between ministries and institutions will be even closer, particularly regarding the sanitation and hygiene aspects of nutritious meal program providers. This will further improve the quality of service and hygiene standards of the program across all regions.
“We want to ensure that this program not only works, but is also safe, hygienic, and truly improves the nutritional quality of Indonesian children,” he said.
Support for the President’s move also came from the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who considered the Presidential Decree on MBG governance to be an important instrument for improving program implementation.
“Regarding the MBG, of course, it’s important for the children, the nation’s next generation. Even the President has stated that this is a very important program for improving the nutrition of all Indonesian children,” Puan said.
Furthermore, Puan emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the MBG implementation. She stated that this new regulation will ensure the involvement of all ministries and institutions, thus ensuring optimal program implementation on the ground.
“I’ve received a report that a Presidential Decree will soon be issued regarding the legal framework, which will involve all relevant ministries and agencies. This way, all relevant parties can help ensure the nutritious meal program runs smoothly and without any obstacles,” he explained.
He emphasized that improvements in governance need to be followed up immediately, because the MBG program has strategic value in improving the quality of the nation’s young generation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of State Secretary, Bambang Eko Suhariyanto, said that the draft Presidential Regulation on MBG had been submitted to the President and was ready to be signed in the near future.
“(The Presidential Decree) is actually being proposed; it has been submitted to the president. So, the president will sign it soon. Hopefully, before October 5th,” said Bambang.
Bambang added that the issuance of the Presidential Regulation is not merely a short-term response, but rather a demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of MBGs with improved governance. This regulation is expected to strengthen oversight, guarantee hygiene standards, and improve cross-sector coordination.
“With the Presidential Decree, the direction of MBG implementation will be clearer and more legally binding, so that in the future, this program can truly provide optimal benefits for Indonesian children,” he concluded.
