Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has again highlighted the progress of Indonesia's free nutritious meals program (MBG), saying the initiative has now reached 44 million recipients.
Prabowo claimed the scale and speed of the rollout place MBG among the fastest and largest nutrition programs in the world. He cited Brazil's experience under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, noting that the country needed 11 years to reach 40 million beneficiaries.
"We haven't even reached 12 months, and we are already at 44 million," Prabowo said during the launch of a digital learning initiative at SMPN 4 Bekasi, a public junior high school in West Java, on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Still, Prabowo acknowledged that the program is far from meeting its full target of 82.9 million recipients.
"There are still around 40 million children and pregnant women who have not received it. I ask for patience. This is the fastest we can go because this is the people's money. It must be prepared properly and thoroughly so there are no irregularities," he said.
Prabowo also admitted that the program faces challenges on the ground, including several reported cases of food poisoning.
He downplayed the incidents, saying they were mostly minor digestive issues, but stressed that accountability remains essential. The MBG program carries a state budget allocation of up to Rp71 trillion.
"Out of millions, of course there will be shortcomings. They say there was poisoning, but it was basically a common stomach ache. Even when I eat at home, sometimes I get it wrong. I forget to wash my hands. But we take responsibility. There must be no misuse," Prabowo said.
To strengthen implementation, Prabowo said he has ordered stricter preparation and distribution protocols. He also instructed improvements to facilities at Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), including the addition of food sterilizers, water filtration equipment, and other supporting tools.