Prabowo asks review of Rp15.000 MBG budget, school canteens an option
BGN is still calculating cost sufficiency per recipient, while the Food Coordinating Minister has one month to clear obstacles and misuse.
President Prabowo Subianto asked the National Nutrition Agency to review whether the Rp15.000 budget for the Free Nutritious Meals Program is sufficient per recipient, while opening the option of involving school canteens in its implementation. BGN deputy head Agustina Arumsari said all policy options must be calculated and tested for their basis before any decision is made. At present, MBG implementation still refers to Presidential Regulation Number 115 through the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit. Agustina said school canteens are among the alternatives that may be reviewed. She also stressed that the issue of budget cuts cannot yet be confirmed because the calculations are still under way. Previously, raw material costs were set at Rp8.000 for early childhood education through third grade of elementary school and Rp10.000 for fourth grade of elementary school through high school, excluding Rp3.000 in operating costs and Rp2.000 for facilities per portion.