Alfitria Nefi P – A lecturer from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the UGM (Gadjah Mada University) Faculty of Engineering, Tumiran, questions the urgency of importing food trays for the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG).
"When are we going to talk about excelling in energy transition with all our advanced technology? We're importing food trays? That shouldn't be allowed," said Tumiran during an open discussion at the Best Western Hotel, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
Tumiran also highlights the purpose of the MBG program, which is not only to provide meals to the beneficiaries, but also aims to stimulate a circular economy, including for the tableware industry.
He believes that the growth of the domestic industry can create more job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates. Therefore, Tumiran thinks that the government should empower the domestic tableware industry by utilizing local resources instead of importing. "Many of our people need jobs. Is the government mindful of that when making this decision?" he questioned.
The former member of the National Energy Council believes that the domestic industry is actually ready to produce food trays for the MBG. He also questions the government's claim about the tableware industry not being able to meet the demand for MBG food trays.
He compares how Indonesia can produce airplanes and ships, but struggles with producing food trays. Moreover, he states that the process of making food trays is not as complex as what Pindad does in supplying weapons or what IPTN does in making airplanes. Therefore, in his opinion, it is impossible for the industry to be unable to meet the demand for MBG food trays. "Don't underestimate the capabilities of our nation's children," said Tumiran.
Rather than importing, Tumiran suggests that the government should maximize the potential of local resources. He believes that importing negatively impacts Indonesia's employment. By importing, the government is essentially choosing to empower other countries.
He also urges the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Trade to take responsibility for the fate of the domestic industry and not hastily loosen import regulations. "If businesses lack capital, they should mobilize the banking sector."
Food trays are among the 10 commodities granted import policy relaxation. The easing of food tray imports is stipulated in the Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 22 of 2025, which was signed on June 30, 2025.
This relaxation is one of the derivatives resulting from the revision of Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 8 of 2024. In this regulation, the government eliminates the prohibition and/or restriction for food trays. Importers no longer require import approval and surveyor reports to bring goods under tariff position/harmonized system ex 7323.93.10 and ex 7323.93.90 from abroad.