TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Executive Board of the University of Indonesia's Student Body (BEM UI) is pressing the Indonesian government to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following the dismissal of Dadan Hindayana from the position of Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan, the Chairperson of BEM UI, believes that the change in BGN leadership is a signal that the government is aware of serious issues in the implementation of this flagship program.
"The government must stop pretending that MBG is doing fine," said Athof, as Yatalathof is often called, in a statement on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
According to Athof, the removal of the head of BGN is an indirect acknowledgment that the management of MBG is facing various problems, ranging from supervision, budget utilization, to on-the-ground implementation.
"They know there is chaos in the implementation, they know there are issues in supervision, they know there is wasteful spending, and they know the public is starting to see that MBG is not as sweet as its campaign promises," he stated.
BEM UI assesses that the government needs to courageously acknowledge the program's weaknesses and make improvements. Athof mentioned various issues that have arisen, such as food poisoning cases, problems with the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG / Free Meal Kitchen), budget inflation, and the involvement of military and police elements in the program's implementation, which he believes should be managed in a civilian and professional manner.
"MBG is not only technically problematic, but also in terms of management," he said.
Therefore, BEM UI demands a total evaluation of the MBG program. One of the demands submitted is the cessation of MBG and SPPG implementation, which are considered to be off-target, as well as redirecting funds and resources that have proven to be ineffective in supporting the education sector and other basic needs of the community.
Athof also requested that MBG funds no longer be taken from the education budget.
"One way is by removing MBG funds from the education budget allocation. Cancel the wasteful, non-transparent, and not genuinely beneficial budget allocation," he emphasized.
In addition, BEM UI urges that funds deemed off-target be redirected to more urgent needs, including post-disaster recovery in Aceh and Sumatra.
The students from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) UI also asked the government to follow up on the Corruption Eradication Commission's study regarding the eight corruption-prone areas in the MBG program.
"We also request a follow-up on the KPK's study of the eight corruption-prone areas in MBG," he said.
BEM UI also urges the government to disclose MBG implementation data to the public, including a list of problematic SPPGs, supervision mechanisms, budget utilization, distribution patterns, food safety standards, and parties involved in program implementation.
"The public has the right to know who benefits, who is responsible, and why such a large program could run with such a fragile management," Athof stated.
Nevertheless, BEM UI asserts that providing nutrition to the public is the state's obligation. However, according to Athof, this goal should not be used as a reason to maintain a program that is still riddled with many issues.
"If the government truly believes that we are a great nation, then prove it by having the magnanimity to acknowledge that MBG is not in good shape and needs a total overhaul to avoid continuing off-target," he concluded.
Read: Dadan Hindayana's Controversies During His Time as BGN Chief
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