Gerindra: In Jakarta, People Are Outraged Against MBG, While Regions Hope to Benefit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Andre Rosiade, a member of the Gerindra faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives, stated that the rejection of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, which is widely discussed in Jakarta, contrasts with what he experienced during visits to several regions.

Andre reported meeting many students and parents in various areas, such as West Sumatra, who are eager to access the program.

"In Jakarta, people are in an uproar: 'Reject MBG! Disband MBG!' But in my electoral district, West Sumatra, where Prabowo lost, I have traveled to various provinces," Andre said during a discussion about two years of Prabowo-Gibran's administration with various factions at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (22/10/2026).

He claimed to have met thousands of students and parents while visiting several schools. Based on his experience, the communities he encountered are in need of the MBG program.

"If in Jakarta, maybe yes, because they never experience hunger, they never face hardships," Andre explained.

He then recounted an experience accompanying Prabowo to inaugurate a temporary emergency bridge in Kayu Tanam, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, in December 2025.

At that time, Andre said around 20 to 30 elementary school children approached Prabowo, asking to receive MBG.

"I was chatting with the Minister of the State Secretariat and the Head of Bakom at that time, Angga Raka Prabowo, when suddenly a group of 20-30 elementary school children came running, shouting to the President: 'Sir! Sir!' This was in Kayu Tanam, Padang Pariaman. 'Sir, we haven't received MBG yet! We want MBG,'" Andre said.

Andre admitted he was surprised by the incident. He also responded to the assumption that it was a staged event to support the government program.

"Yes, people say it was a setup. What could possibly be staged during a natural disaster?" he remarked.

Therefore, Andre continued, the needs of the communities in the regions are one of the reasons the government must continue the MBG program. He noted that the stunting rate in Indonesia still stands at 19 percent, while in West Sumatra, it is as high as 24 percent.

However, Andre acknowledged that the implementation of the MBG program has shortcomings, including cases of food poisoning and violations of standard operating procedures (SOP).

"Certainly, there are shortcomings, and there needs to be improvements. This is what the government is addressing," Andre stated.

He noted that the government has closed several problematic MBG kitchens.

According to Andre, 1,200 kitchens were shut down during Naniek S Deyang’s time and 2,000 during Sudaryono’s tenure.