Ricky Juliansyah, Jakarta – The Chair of the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia (BEM UI), Yatalathof Ma'shum Imawan, has reaffirmed his rejection of the plan to establish the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG/MBG kitchen) on campus. He believes that the policy is misdirected for the university.
Athof, his nickname, stated that the rejection does not mean a rejection of the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG) in its entirety. According to him, the program has a strong academic foundation and can be beneficial if carried out properly.
"The problem is, if it doesn't hit the target, what is sacrificed are the unimproved campus facilities, the increasing cost of education, and the continual neglect of the welfare of the faculty," Athof said when confirmed on Monday, May 4, 2026.
He admitted to being concerned about the plan to develop the MBG kitchen on campus, which he believes reflects a misjudgment in prioritizing higher education policies.
"If policymakers realize the primary needs of the campus, the focus should be on increasing research funding and faculty welfare, to produce quality graduates," he said.
Athof believes that the policy tends to be short-term oriented. "The important thing is the basic needs are met, but in the future, graduates will still struggle to compete in the job market if the quality of education is not addressed," he added.
This FEB UI student also criticized policymakers in higher education for failing to address the root issues.
"The country fails to create jobs, but instead blames the campus and the students," he said.
According to Athof, this approach causes the government to push for the creation of SPPGs on campus instead of improving the quality of higher education to align it with the needs of the job market.
He likened the situation to a captain who steers the wrong course. "Current higher education policies are like a ship being directed wrongly, and this mistake is being burdened on the campus and the students," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chair of BEM FISIP UI, Raffael Harefa, added that the academic community urgently needs improvements to welfare, including addressing the rising costs of tuition and faculty salaries.
"If suddenly the campus is given a kitchen facility, this shows a misplaced priority. The stakeholders are still facing many fundamental problems," said Raffael.
He also believes that the MBG program still needs extensive evaluation in its implementation.
"In our opinion, this step seems rushed. The welfare of the academic community should be prioritized first," he said.
It is known that Hasanuddin University (Unhas) became the first campus to build SPPG. The facility was inaugurated by the Head of the National Nutrition Body Dadan Hindayana along with the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Brian Yuliarto.
Brian had previously asked universities to actively participate in government programs, including the establishment of the SPPG, rather than merely observing.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2101785/bem-ui-opposes-free-nutritious-meal-kitchen-project-on-campu