INDOPOSCO.ID – President Prabowo Subianto strongly condemned parties seeking to unlawfully profit from Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for children. He made the remarks during his state address at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Friday (August 14, 2026).
“I consider those who want to profit through corruption from meals intended for these children to be barbaric people. These are people who do not deserve our respect,” Prabowo said in Jakarta on Friday (August 14).
He also reaffirmed that the government would continue implementing the MBG program, including as part of efforts to address stunting, which continues to affect some Indonesian children.
According to Prabowo, the prevalence of stunting in several regions remains as high as 25 percent, or approximately one in four children. He said the condition could affect the development of children’s brain cells, muscles, and bones.
“We cannot accept that one in four Indonesian children suffers from stunting. We cannot accept that. Therefore, I am determined to continue the MBG program, but with improvements and greater efficiency,” Prabowo said.
He said human development must begin with fulfilling the most basic needs, particularly children’s nutritional needs. The government, he stressed, must not allow Indonesian children to attend school while hungry, as hunger can hinder their ability to develop.
“What will determine the future most is human development. We must start with the most basic need, which is nutrition. Our children must not have to learn while hungry. No child can learn well when they are hungry,” Prabowo said.
The Attorney General’s Office has named a total of seven suspects in an alleged corruption case involving irregularities in the management of the MBG program at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) during the 2025–2026 period. The alleged scheme includes the sale and purchase of kitchen locations, or Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), as well as alleged markups in the procurement of goods.
Three of the suspects are Dadan Hindayana, the former head of BGN; Sony Sonjaya; and former BGN deputy head Lodewyk Pusung. They have been detained at the Salemba Detention Center, a branch of the Attorney General’s Office, and the Salemba Detention Center, a branch of the South Jakarta District Attorney’s Office. (dan)
