Matthew Edbert Hermanto, Jakarta – The Jakarta Community Alliance held a peaceful protest in the Patung Kuda (Horse Statue) area, Central Jakarta, on Monday, June 22, 2026. They demanded that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) project continue and that law enforcement take firm action against corruption within it.
Early in the morning, protesters began arriving at the location wearing all-white attire. Some participants had gathered as early as 06.00 AM. They then carried out a long march from the Transjakarta bus station, with the Patung Kuda serving as the focal point of the demonstration.
Rendi, one of the field coordinators, stated that preparations for the protest had been ongoing for about two weeks. According to him, the participants came from various areas in Jakarta and were not affiliated with any specific groups or campuses. "This demonstration is purely the initiative of the people from all over Jakarta, not a response to the previous protest," said Rendi at the location.
He mentioned two main demands of the protest, namely the continuation of the MBG program and the arrest of those involved in the alleged corruption that has eroded the program's budget. "We ask the government to continue the MBG program and take firm action against the corrupt individuals involved," he said.
Rendi emphasized the significant benefits of the MBG program, particularly for schoolchildren. He stated that the program provides balanced nutrition for children by offering lunch. "This program is very beneficial for school children," he added.
However, he asserted that eradicating corruption should be a priority, but the program should not be stopped. He mentioned that the misuse of funds by certain individuals should not be a reason to halt the entire MBG program. "What needs to be eradicated is the corruption, not the program. If there's misappropriation of funds, that should be addressed," Rendi emphasized.
All participants of the protest were required to wear plain white clothing as a symbol of unity. Amid the demonstration, several traditional large puppets (ondel-ondel) were brought in to liven up the atmosphere.
Edi Marzuki, the coordinator of the Jakarta Community Alliance, previously estimated that around 50,000 people from various areas in the capital city would participate in the protest. The demonstrators were planning to carry out a long march from in front of the United States Embassy to Patung Kuda.
The protest proceeded peacefully with police escort.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2109754/mbg-supporters-rally-at-jakartas-patung-kuda-monumen