DEN calls for overhaul of free meal program management

hartono · Aug 21, 2026

DEN calls for overhaul of free meal program management

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DEN Chair Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and BGN Head Sudaryono discuss the overhaul of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program management. ANTARA/HO-Dewan Ekonomi Nasional (DEN)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Economic Council (DEN) Chair Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has urged the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to overhaul management of Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

The move is intended to keep the flagship program targeted, consistent and closely monitored, ensuring the public fully benefits from it.

“Every strategic decision must be based on accurate data, strict oversight and the courage to correct mistakes,” Luhut said in Jakarta on Friday.

Luhut also called for refocusing Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), or MBG kitchens, to prioritize frontier, outermost and underdeveloped (3T) regions.

He said construction of 1,700 SPPGs is focused on areas with high stunting rates, including Papua, Maluku, Nias and East Nusa Tenggara.

Building the units, he said, must not be driven by business convenience or easy locations, but by areas that are hardest to reach and most in need.

“Site selection must be driven by solid data, including stunting rates, food vulnerability and geographical challenges,” he said.

Luhut also stressed that standardized quality and hygiene must be non-negotiable requirements for the program.

He praised the BGN chief for shutting down about 1,300 SPPGs that failed to meet hygiene and food safety standards, calling it evidence of strict oversight.

The DEN will support the BGN’s management overhaul by providing recommendations and strengthening the agency’s digital systems, Luhut said.

Digital integration will enable real-time, transparent monitoring of the entire supply chain, food quality controls and performance evaluations for each service unit.