MBG drains APBN and causes mass poisoning among students
Indonesia’s ‘Free Nutritional Meals’ (MBG) program, launched by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, has faced significant challenges. The aim of MBG was to enhance the nutritional standards of children across the country. However, starting January 2025, the program encountered major hurdles due to ineffective budget allocation and numerous cases of mass poisoning among students. Initially, MBG was funded with 71 trillion rupiahs to reach 82.9 million children. The additional request for 100 trillion rupiahs from the state budget (APBN) raised questions about the program’s viability and ability to effectively utilize such vast budgets. Problems emerged immediately—with cases of mass poisoning reported in several schools by January 11. It is reported that over 20,000 students experienced symptoms of poisoning, prompting a reevaluation of the project’s fundamentals. Issues were linked not only to poor execution but also to the program’s content, as students were given highly processed foods. Experts note this practice does not support the program’s goals and may in fact harm children’s health. President Prabowo, on his part, continues to defend the project, citing its long-term impact on the national economy and job creation. However, public criticism is growing, including among politicians who argue the program is out of control. Plans for 2026 include increasing local businesses’ involvement and reforming school menus to align with the healthy nutrition goals.
