Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to review the eligibility criteria for Indonesia's flagship Free Nutritious Meals program, signaling a possible shift toward prioritizing assistance for the country's most vulnerable communities rather than maintaining universal coverage.
Under the current policy, the program is available to all schoolchildren, preschool children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Deputy BGN chief Agustina Arumsari said the president wants the agency to reassess beneficiary criteria so the program can focus on low-income households, disadvantaged regions, and areas with high rates of child stunting.
"The president said those who no longer need to receive the Free Nutritious Meals program should no longer be included. However, people in the lowest-income groups, disadvantaged areas, and regions with high stunting prevalence should continue to receive assistance," Agustina told reporters after a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.
Prabowo also instructed the agency to examine alternative delivery mechanisms for the program.
Current regulations require meals to be distributed exclusively through government-authorized Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).
Agustina said the president asked BGN to explore other implementation models so distribution would not depend on a single mechanism. One option under consideration is allowing school canteens to participate in meal distribution.
"The president said we should study other alternatives if there are better options. There should not be only one way to implement the program," she said.
According to Agustina, Prabowo suggested that any proposed changes must be supported by thorough analysis before being submitted to him for review and approval.
He also ordered a comprehensive evaluation of the program's implementation, including reports of irregularities involving some Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, she added.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/prabowo-orders-review-of-universal-free-school-meal-progra