October 1, 2025 | 11:22 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the Indonesian National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, announced that President Prabowo Subianto is set to ratify a presidential regulation governing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, likely within this week.
"Currently, the regulations on the management of Nutritious Free Meals are being finalized, and we hope the President will sign them this week," Dadan said during a working meeting with the House of Representatives Commission IX in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Dadan emphasized that support through this presidential regulation is essential for the MBG program. "The implementation goes beyond food security. It involves sanitation, hygiene, handling suspected poisoning cases, and managing the growing demands of the supply chain," he explained.
Data from the Nutrition Agency shows that 6,517 MBG beneficiaries have experienced poisoning since the program’s launch in January 2025 through September 30, 2025, with cases increasing over the past two months.
The Nutritious Free Meals program is one of President Prabowo’s flagship initiatives, promised during the 2024 presidential campaign. The program targets 82.9 million beneficiaries, including school children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers.
For 2025, the government allocated Rp71 trillion to support the program. As of October 1, it has reached nearly 30 million beneficiaries, with Rp21 trillion already spent.
Despite its scale, the MBG program has operated without a formal legal framework for state funding for the past ten months.
Until now, the only relevant regulation has been Presidential Regulation No. 83 of 2024, signed by President Joko Widodo on August 15, 2024, which provides the legal basis for BGN to manage national nutrition programs, particularly for vulnerable groups, and to support the MBG initiative.
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BGN Explains Why Free Meal Program Won't Be Suspended Despite Poisoning Cases
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BGN explained reasons for continuing the MBG program despite mounting calls for its suspension following a surge in food poisoning cases.
Key Facts on West Bandung Student's Alleged Death Tied to Free Meal Poisoning
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The Head of Indonesia's BGN said he had not been informed about the student in West Bandung who reportedly died after allegedly consuming an MBG meal.
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Head of BGN apologizes to former Minister Mahfud Md as his two grandchildren are suspected of being poisoned after eating MBG meals in in Yogyakarta.
Teachers' Group: BGN Incentives Shift Blame for Free Meal Poisonings to Educators
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Teachers' association argues that the policy shifts responsibility for the recent widespread food poisoning cases linked to the program onto teachers.
Indonesian Govt States Free Meal Poisoning Not a Human Rights Violation
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Shortcomings in the free nutritious meal (MBG), according to Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, stem from management and administrative issues.
Indonesian Health Minister Identifies Cause of Free Meal Poisoning
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The Ministry of Health has researched all free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchens where food poisoning cases were reported.
Indonesia's BGN Confirms Incentive Scheme for Teachers Overseeing Free Meals
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BGN has introduced incentives for teachers managing the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, as outlined in Circular Letter No. 5 of 2025.
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The controversy surrounding President Prabowo's photo on an Israeli billboard raises public questions about Indonesia's relationship with Israel.
Mahfud MD Reveals Grandchildren Poisoned by Free Meal Program in Yogyakarta
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Former Coordinating Minister Mahfud MD revealed that two of his grandchildren in Yogyakarta suffered from food poisoning after consuming MBG.
