Palace Rejects Student Demands to Stop Free Meal Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has stood its ground, asserting that it will not halt the free nutritious meal (MBG) program. The Government Communication Agency (Bakom) conveyed this stance in response to the demands voiced by students during the "Menuju Indonesia Bangkrut" (Towards Indonesia's Bankruptcy) demonstrations held this week.

Head of Bakom, Muhammad Qodari, emphasized that MBG remains a flagship priority for President Prabowo Subianto. "Therefore, the government, through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), will continue to carry out the MBG program while continuously evaluating and improving its governance," Qodari said in a written statement on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Qodari argued that various challenges arising in the implementation of a government program are common. "Moving from a concept to an operational program requires execution. There will inevitably be variations and problems. Only the dead have no problems. As long as we are alive, there will be problems," he remarked.

Nevertheless, he mentioned that emerging obstacles should not be a reason to terminate a beneficial program. "A problem does not mean we should stop. It does not mean we should retreat. We evaluate," Qodari stated.

He further noted that the BGN has already taken steps to improve the management of the MBG project, including a temporary pause on the construction of new MBG kitchens as part of a broader restructuring effort.

Qodari stressed that this temporary suspension does not affect ongoing services. "Why shouldn't we stop? Because the benefits on the ground are evident. There are pregnant women, should their pregnancies stop? There are nursing mothers, should their babies be told to stop breastfeeding? Should toddlers be told to stop eating? Should school children be denied their meals?" he said.

Previously, students from various campuses across Indonesia took to the streets last Friday and Saturday. In Jakarta, protesters organized under the banner "Menuju Indonesia Bangkrut," specifically calling for an end to the free nutritious meal project.

In addition to that demand, the students urged the government to stop squandering the state budget, lower the prices of fuel and staple foods, and halt the development of the Red and White Village Cooperative. Protesters also demanded that the military return to their barracks. Similar calls were echoed in simultaneous demonstrations in Solo, Semarang, and Yogyakarta.

Read: UBK Students Plan Palace Protest to 'Reshape Indonesia'

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