Thousands in Malang rally in support of Prabowo's MBG program
Participants urged that the program continue while being evaluated, with a target of 82.9 million beneficiaries in 2026.
Thousands of people calling themselves Simpatisan MBG Malang Raya held a mass assembly and group exercise at Alun-Alun Tugu in Kota Malang, Jawa Timur, on Saturday to back the continuation of the Program Makan Bergizi Gratis. The event ran from morning until about 10:50 WIB and drew farmers, MSMEs operators, volunteers and supporters. Coordinator Gandung said the program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto was considered beneficial for the public. Organizer Raden Djoni Sudjatmoko said MBG not only affects children's nutrition but also helps maintain demand for agricultural and livestock products in the local food supply chain. The crowd also pledged to help oversee the 82.9 million-beneficiary target in 2026 and asked that governance problems and corruption cases at Badan Gizi Nasional be addressed with reforms, not by ending the program.